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Attention, bank customers! Phishing warning about fake VR emails
Consumer advice center warns of phishing emails in the name of Volksbanken Raiffeisenbanken; Important tips to protect bank customers.
Attention, bank customers! Phishing warning about fake VR emails
The consumer advice center is currently warning of a new wave of fraudulent emails that are being sent in the name of Volksbanken Raiffeisenbanken (VR). These phishing emails ask bank customers to renew their “VR-Secure App” and contain a link to supposedly update the app. The threat is particularly perfidious: anyone who does not respond by May 30th could lose security functions. The emails are often addressed impersonally (“Dear Customer”), come from dubious senders and contain suspicious links or buttons. In addition, the fraudsters put customers under pressure by setting a short deadline for the alleged action. The emails are designed to use the original Volksbank logo to give the appearance of authenticity.
In their warning, consumer advocates recommend ignoring such emails and moving them to the spam folder. Instead, bank customers should independently search for similar prompts in their banking app or on their bank's website. The consumer advice center and the Volksbanken Raiffeisenbanken emphasize that reputable banks never ask for personal information such as PIN or account number via email or SMS and do not provide a link to online banking. In addition, customers will not be asked to make test or return transfers. This information is an important indicator of a fraud attempt, as millions of phishing messages are sent to lure recipients to fake websites.
Increasing cybercrime and its consequences
The responsibility for security deficiencies does not lie solely with customers. Banks and payment service providers are also asked to take proactive measures. These include, among other things, the mandatory introduction of two-factor authentication, clear communication guidelines about security practices and better fraud detection mechanisms through artificial intelligence. The legal situation is clear: banks must refund money in cases of phishing scams if this happened without the customer's consent. However, customers must also keep their login details secure and report suspicious activity immediately.
Prevention measures for bank customers
To protect themselves from phishing scams, customers should follow a few basic rules: do not click on links from emails or SMS, never pass on access data or TANs, activate two-factor authentication and check account transactions regularly. Suspicious emails should always be reported, and if fraud is suspected, it is advisable to contact the bank immediately and block online banking. These are important steps to avoid falling victim to these fraudulent schemes.
Given that Volksbanken Raiffeisenbanken is the largest cooperative banking group in Germany, with over 17.6 million members and total assets of 1,208 billion euros, it is particularly alarming that such fraud attempts continue to occur so frequently. This makes it all the more important that both banks and customers face the challenges of cybercrime together and act accordingly.
For further information and current updates on the subject of phishing, please visit the consumer advice center website here as well as the Volksbanken Raiffeisenbanken and anwalt.de for legal information.