Online scams continue, beware of such messages on your phones!
2024-04-03 14:32:42
TiranaPost
Suspicious messages on phones, WhatsApp or other forms, which tend to instruct you to click on a link that clearly affects your security, continue to endanger the security of Albanians online.
During the year 2023, there are 765 recorded cases of criminal offenses related to cybercrimes in the country, of which 54% have been discovered with 440 perpetrators.
But what should be considered when such messages, to escape a possible danger?
IT expert Tomi Kallanxhi tells "Monitor" that there are many online sites that sell data from different countries, data that includes phone numbers, social network addresses or even residential addresses.
"This is an attack that in technological language is called spam" - he says. Asked what are the protective mechanisms, Mr. Kallanxhi states that there is not and that the best protection is the awareness of individuals about the safety of their online browsing and the information they share.
"If people don't expect a package, they don't have to click to get a package in this particular case and so on with similar cases. "- says Mr. Kallanxhi.
The IT expert urges citizens not to respond to such messages and not to fall prey to online scams. According to the evidence it had, such spam comes mainly from Russian countries.
During the year 2023, there was a 40% increase compared to 2022 in terms of online fraud cases, according to statistics made public by the State Police.
Just a week ago, Governor Sejko, during the Money Week activity, emphasized the need to embrace a responsible approach to the administration of personal finances, but also being aware of the potential risks.
"It is very important for young people to identify the risks associated with online scams, as well as other risks arising from unsafe information and advice.
As you can read in the week's agenda, in order to educate the young and the youngest in this regard, the Bank of Albania in cooperation with its partners will organize educational programs and activities throughout the country." - said the Governor.
Two months ago, through an announcement, the State Police pointed out this problem, emphasizing that the authors who send these messages, in order to gain credibility, use the designations of various Albanian institutions, such as the case of the message from an address unreal of the Albanian Post.
"If you have received such a message and you have shared your personal data or if you have been deceived by such an activity, report to the police," the Police urges.
Other cases
Other cases occur when we receive different emails from unknown people with unidentified emails, but with manipulative content, starting with an introduction and then with an offer for cooperation, or there are frequent cases when there is talk of a will, you have earned money , and similar situations.
The request of these cyber manipulators is to send the data, a bank card, an identification document and such things that are necessary to realize their goals.
Therefore, it is necessary to be careful about what we publish on social networks or what information we click on. Through a photo of the identification document, there are cases where various people have taken out bank loans, or card numbers have been obtained through online purchases, etc.
Article published in Monitor.al
