Recommendations from Banca Transilvania to avoid online fraud attempts
Banca Transilvania is sharing a set of recommendations for its customers to help them avoid online fraud attempts, amid a rise in such cases both nationally and internationally. The aim of those behind these attempts is to gain access to customers’ money by obtaining personal data, such as app login information.
People are deceived through traps such as social media ads, fake emails or phone calls. For example, there are online ads that promise high returns from investments, “endorsed” via video messages fabricated using stolen identities of well-known individuals or people presented as company representatives, who in reality have no connection to the subject.
Fraud attempts currently “in vogue”
- Remote access programs (such as AnyDesk): people receive phone calls from malicious actors who try to persuade them to install apps like AnyDesk on their phone. These give the fraudsters access to all the data on the device.
- Phone calls (spoofing): people are called from numbers that appear to belong to the bank/other institutions, on specific pretexts (for example, approving a loan) and are asked for card details which, once disclosed, give the fraudsters access to their money.
- Deepfake: these are video messages circulated on social media in which individuals — usually public figures — appear to recommend certain investments, although in reality they are not involved.
BT recommendations for keeping your money and personal information safe:
- Never disclose any login information for banking apps (username, password, one-time password, other credentials).
- Do not download any app such as AnyDesk.
- Do not disclose your bank card details: name, number, expiry date, CVV2/CVC (the three-digit number on the back of the card) or your PIN. Do not enter your PIN on websites and do not reveal it over the phone. The site where you enter your card details for an online payment must be secure (the link must start with https).
- Assess any message critically. Avoid clicking on links that promise quick ways to get rich or to save money. If something is too good to be true, it probably is.
- Avoid “investment opportunities” presented by unknown individuals over email, SMS or phone. They may sound as if they are from BT or other banks. Often, to take part you will be asked to transfer money.
- Be cautious with messages that appear to come from Banca Transilvania (or banks in general). We never request confidential data (card details, access password, PIN) by phone, SMS, email, etc.
- Avoid clicking links received from unknown sources (by email, SMS, social media, WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, etc.) and do not enter your personal or banking data via those links. If you have doubts about an offer, avoid accessing those materials and check whether the promotion or offer exists on the company’s official communication channels.
- If you suspect you are the victim of an incident and you are a BT client, contact the bank: contact@btrl.ro; 0264 30 80 28, and if you have suffered a loss, file a complaint with the Romanian Police and inform the National Cyber Security Directorate (alerts@dnsc.ro, 1911).
Extra info
Where to find more details on the topic:
- On the bank’s website, on the Online security page;
- On the BT Blog, in these articles:
