Mailbox scam in Tenerife: National Police alert over banking fraud via SMS
The National Police warns about the "mailbox method" scam, where cybercriminals empty bank accounts through fake SMS messages and physical collection of valuables.
National Police alert over banking fraud using fake SMS and overnight couriers
The National Police has circulated a video on its social media to warn Tenerife residents about a scam method that combines digital deception with the physical collection of valuables, according to Google News ES — Crime.
The trap begins with an SMS apparently sent by the victim's bank. The message indicates that the account has been hacked or that fraudulent charges are being registered, and includes a telephone number to call. "Everything starts with an SMS from 'your bank' and a telephone number you need to call," the National Police warns in the video.
Once the call is made, the scammers ask the victim to provide the verification codes that arrive via SMS, claiming they are necessary to resolve the supposed problems. In reality, according to the authorities, "what they are doing is making small transfers to other bank accounts" using those same codes.
The scam incorporates a second face-to-face phase that distinguishes it from previous frauds. The cybercriminals inform the victim that their home is also at risk and ask them to deposit jewellery, cash and bank cards in the mailbox. They then tell them that a courier will come to collect these items during the early hours of the morning.
The National Police has circulated a series of recommendations to avoid falling victim to this type of fraud:
- No bank requests SMS codes over the telephone or asks you to deposit valuables in a mailbox.
- On receiving a suspicious SMS, contact the banking institution directly through official channels, without using the number that appears in the message.
- Do not provide verification codes to third parties under any circumstances.
- Do not hand over jewellery, money or cards to any unsolicited courier.
Those who have been victims of this scam should file a report with the National Police or the Civil Guard so that officers can start an investigation and inform the rest of the public about the methods used by cybercriminals.
Source: Google News ES — Crime (es)