French police issue warning over new ‘fake bank card’ scam
Accompanying letter asks users to set up new card using fake bank website and QR code
Banks will never ask users to activate a bank card using a QR code, say police
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Residents in France are being warned over a sophisticated new scam that sees a fake bank card sent to their address alongside an alleged letter from their bank.
An attached QR code sends users to a realistic but fraudulent imitation of their bank’s website. Personal information entered by individuals is then used to hack existing accounts.
Accounts can be cleared of funds in minutes, with victims inadvertently providing hackers with full access to their bank.
The rising popularity of the scam has seen France’s national police raise warnings, reminding residents to remain vigilant to increasingly digitally-focused fraud techniques.
How does scam work?
The accompanying letter sent alongside the new card claims to be from the individual’s bank.
It states they have been sent a new card earlier than their current one expires, usually because of a ‘security concern’ to prompt efficient compliance.
The letter instructs users to scan a QR code on the letter to activate the new card.
The code leads to a website that looks extremely similar to their bank’s, but is fake.
They are then asked to input information about their current bank card alongside other personal data, which the website claims will activate the new card.
Once this is handed over however, it can be used to make transactions from the individual’s current – and until now, uncompromised – bank card, or to empty the account entirely.
How to avoid it?
Anyone who receives such a letter should be extremely wary, as banks do not send out new cards ‘early’ unless a client has demanded one due to loss, theft, etc.
If you believe the bank card may be legitimate (for example if your current card is close to expiring), contact your bank to confirm it is genuine.
Check the card carefully, as those related to the scams are often blank and unlikely to include either your name, or your correct bank account information.
Digital QR codes are becoming an increasingly common source of scams, as they are easily manipulated.
A bank will never ask you to activate a card via a QR code, despite what the fraudulent letter insists.
General online vigilance against scams is also advised – fraudsters may have obtained your home address or other information through previous phishing attempts, or purchasing stolen data from recent cyberattacks.
More advice is available in our article here.
As information is willingly handed over by the individual during the scam, it may not always be possible to obtain a refund.
