“Vishing”: Stricter Rules Against Fake Bank Advisors

Starting this Tuesday, bank account numbers will be made inviolable, which will make it harder to carry out vishing, a type of voice scam. Will this be enough to completely stop such frauds?

On the Horizon: The Eradication of “Vishing”

A new security measure is set to enhance consumer protection against scam attempts. Starting this Tuesday, bank numbers will become tamper-proof, effectively putting the brakes on “vishing,” where fraudsters impersonate bank advisors over the phone.

The Scammers’ Modus Operandi

Mastering the art of persuasion, these fraudsters often initiate their calls with: “Hello, I am Mr. X from the anti-fraud department. You are the holder of bank card number XXX, correct?” Their aim is to extract money by gaining the victim’s trust using a credible bank phone number to solicit personal information.

These scammers buy personal details from the darknet, an internet network accessible only with specific software, to drain victims’ bank accounts. However, this era may soon end thanks to new legislation.

The Naegelen Law: A Shield Against Identity Theft

The newly enacted Naegelen Law introduces a system to authenticate the origin of calls, aimed at preventing the spoofing of phone numbers, whether they belong to banks, businesses, or public administrations.

Previously, by displaying a victim’s bank’s authentic phone number on their smartphones, scammers could easily win their trust. With the new law, it will no longer be possible to falsify a phone number to impersonate a bank advisor.

Hanging Up: The Best Reflex

Against these persistent and persuasive scammers, the best advice remains to hang up and directly contact your bank advisor. If you have carried out any bank transactions following a suspicious call, it’s crucial to block your account immediately.

Stay vigilant and protect your personal information. Remember: a legitimate bank advisor will never ask for your login details or password over the phone.