In a press release, the PJ attach the image of a fake email that has been circulating, which encourages users to provide their personal data.

The message, translated into English, says: Dear customer, “We are pleased to inform you that, recently, we finally worked in partnership with the PJ”. Furthermore, the fake SIBS email suggests that the user must update their personal and banking information as soon as possible to avoid further problems.

In reality, the email is not from MBWay, but is instead a phishing scam and fraud. The PJ warned that there is no partnership between that police force and SIBS (the company that runs the MBWay electronic payments) in this matter. “The message has the sole purpose of committing the crime of illegal access to accounts and to get the victims' personal data,” the PJ said.

In addition: "The scam involves infection by a virus or malware and can occur on any computer system (PC, Tablet or mobile phone)".

Note: Phishing is a criminal activity in which unsolicited emails are sent encouraging the user to provide their personal or banking information.

The Judiciary Police suggests ten measures to follow to protect yourself:

  • Never access hyperlinks or attachments from strange emails;
  • Take a look at the characteristics of the message (misspellings, persuasive arguments, containing generous and strange offers) this will help you identify if the message is fake;
  • Don’t trust sensational news and offers;
  • Don't be guided by the threatening or an alarmist tone of the message;
  • No one awards or offers a product if you have not participated in any contest;
  • No one offers products below the market price.
  • Credible and serious institutions do not use these means/ways to communicate with their clients;
  • In case of doubt, contact in advance, by telephone, the company or institution whose name is being used;
  • Do not reply to these types of messages and delete them immediately;
  • Pass this alert on to relatives, friends and anyone close to you.


Author

Paula Martins is a fully qualified journalist, who finds writing a means of self-expression. She studied Journalism and Communication at University of Coimbra and recently Law in the Algarve. Press card: 8252

Paula Martins