• The President of UOKiK launches a nationwide public campaign titled “Losing data means losing money!” - the media, organisations and institutions are encouraged to join the effort.
• Tomasz Chróstny, President of UOKiK, warns consumers about phishing and money theft.
• Fraudsters pretend to be employees of legitimate institutions, send fake text messages, e-mails, payment links and encourage users to install apps.
• Beware! Thieves no longer have to steal your wallet. Stealing your data is all they have to do.

Consumers are ever more frequently falling victim to cyber criminals. Their methods are becoming ever more sophisticated and new forms of attacks are coming to light nearly every single day. The effectiveness of their criminal activities is boosted by preying on the emotions of potential victims and their difficult situations. In order to draw the attention of the society to the problem, Tomasz Chróstny, President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection, has initiated the “Losing data means losing money!” campaign. The campaign serves as a platform allowing the President of UOKiK to warn consumers about the threats associated with losing their data and money, and allows to call for more caution.

- A coordinated information and educational campaign is required to increase awareness of fraud attempts that threaten consumers, including seniors. Electronic transactions and payments as well as various apps allowing us to run different errands have become a part of our daily lives. Unfortunately, criminals are not lagging behind. They no longer have to steal our wallets in order to get their hands on our money. All they need to do is steal our data. The social engineering tricks they are playing may soften our defences. The feeling of being in danger, as well as such emotions as fear or pressure often prevent us from imparting a cool-headed judgement. Let us stay alert. All of us may be targeted by fraudsters - says Tomasz Chróstny, President of UOKiK.

Television and radio spots promoting the “Losing data means losing money!” campaign that TVP and Polish Radio have started airing today focus on specific situations in which data phishing attempts may be made, leading to money disappearing from the victim’s bank account.

Outstanding payment

The “Outstanding payment” method uses a text message or an e-mail in which the fraudster informs about an alleged outstanding payment and threatens to immediately cut off the supply of electricity, gas or television. The message contains a link allowing the victim to make the payment. If clicked, it redirects the user to a fake website that visually resembles the websites of payment agents. That is how fraudsters get hold of authentication details.

Pretending to be an employee of a legitimate institution

It is often the case that fraudsters pretend to be employees of a bank, for instance, and claim that the account holder’s money is in danger. They ask the victim to provide the login and password to their account. Alternatively, they may also encourage to click a specific link or install an app that will trace the victim’s activity and thus acquire the login details.

These are just some of the pitfalls - the fraudsters are coming up with new tricks on a nearly daily basis. A suspended parcel delivery or an order, a planned shut-down of the Internet connection… Sometimes consumers are caught off-guard by the small amount of the money they owe, e.g. PLN 2. They are, however, at risk of losing their lifetime savings!

STOP! Do not let the fraudsters manipulate you! Remember!

1. Never disclose or provide anyone with your online banking login and password. Legitimate bank employees never ask for such information.
2. Never click any links you receive in text messages. Verify any potentially outstanding payments by contacting your utility provider or a courier company.
3. If you answer the phone and the caller introduces themselves as a bank employee, terminate the call, find the number of your bank’s helpdesk and verify is someone was trying to reach you.
4. Never install any software from the links you get, or software indicated to you in the course of a telephone conversation concerning your accounts or funds deposited therein.

What can be done if fraudsters have already managed to access your bank account or your payment card data? Inform your payment service provider of the situation as soon as possible, block the card, change your authentication details or block the account altogether. This will prevent the fraudsters from stealing the funds. If they have already withdrawn some money, such steps will allow you to prevent additional transactions from being concluded. File a report with the police and inform your payment services provider about the entire situation.

About the campaign of the President of UOKIK

The campaign is another in a series of educational activities undertaken by the President of UOKiK to raise the level of consumers’ awareness and security. Two 30-second spots prepared by UOKiK for the “Losing data means losing money!” campaign will be aired on television, on the radio and in the Internet. On December 5, public broadcasters started to air the spots free of charge, pursuant to Article 31c of the Act on Competition and Consumer Protection. Some commercial broadcasters have also agreed to join the campaign without demanding any compensation.

― The scale on which the fraudsters operate is truly overwhelming. The outcomes of their activities for the entire society are very harmful and far-reaching. Therefore, I strongly encourage all media outlets, public institutions and organisations, as well as NGOs to join our campaign. Acting together, we may be more effective in our fight with the fraudsters, thus increasing the level of consumers’ safety - says Tomasz Chróstny, President of UOKiK.

“Losing data means losing money!” spots, as well as other related materials may be downloaded from Losing data means losing money! website.

Consumer support:

Phone 801 440 220 or 222 66 76 76 – consumer helpdesk
E-mail: porady@dlakonsumentow.pl
Financial Ombudsman – after the consumer’s complaint has been rejected by a financial institution
Consumer ombudsmen – in your city or district

Additional information for the media:

UOKiK Press Office
pl. Powstańców Warszawy 1, 00-950 Warszawa, Poland
Phone: 22 55 60 246
Email: biuroprasowe@uokik.gov.pl
Twitter: @UOKiKgovPL
You can also follow us on Instagram: @uokikgovpl