Your account is in danger: the AI revolution is perfecting fraud methods
From fake messages from the Electric Company to voice imitation of family members using AI: phishing attacks in Israel are escalating. Criminals do not spare the elderly and new immigrants, and the tricks are becoming more sophisticated by the moment | Here is how to identify the trap and protect your money.
Phishing attempts against customers are expanding in light of technological progress in general and the AI revolution in particular. Fraud attempts are carried out both in a relatively simple way via fake messages for debt payment or in more sophisticated messages.
For example, some attempts are made by creating an almost perfect imitation of the website of the company from which the payment request is sent, whether it is a bank, the postal company, or another commercial company. Sometimes, fraud attempts are made over the phone by almost perfectly imitating a relative.
In the conversation, the family member (usually an elderly person) is asked to provide bank account details, including the secret code, or in worse cases, to cooperate with some representative who is about to visit them. The iron rule in these cases: never provide credit card details, and certainly not the secret code to any "representative" of a bank or a party posing as a security officer.
In recent days, I have personally received inquiries from parties requesting fictitious payments from me. The Carmel Tunnels sent a payment request for an outstanding debt of 20.4 shekels. How do I know it is "phishing"? Because I have never driven in the Carmel Tunnels.
From the operators of Highway 6 North, a payment request arrived for a debt that had been transferred to enforcement proceedings. To settle the payment, it is "recommended" that I enter a specific website address. Well, it is strictly forbidden to click on the link attached to the address.
How do I know it is a "fake"? Because a similar payment request was sent to me last month as well, and I am still waiting for the "representatives" of the enforcement office. To know if it is an authentic payment request, all you have to do is call Highway 6 and check if there are any debts.
The new hit among fraud enthusiasts is the Israel Electric Corporation. Over the weekend, the company warned its customers against a party posing as the company and offering a monetary refund via an external link.
"Do not click on the link and do not provide personal details or credit card details. The Israel Electric Corporation is acting on the matter with the relevant authorities," the company writes.
Even the software company ESET, which produces antivirus programs, warns that attempts were made to scam using its name as well. The company warned yesterday: "In the last few hours, phishing emails have been sent from an address that does not belong to us. The message includes a link to download a malicious file that allows the attacker to access the victim's computer. As always, ensure that the email comes with the eset.co.il extension and do not click on unfamiliar links."
Fraud attempts also exist in the banking system. The Banking Supervision Department at the Bank of Israel is aware of the phenomenon and has even instructed the banking system to take a number of steps to reduce it.
Bank Leumi announced to its customers the establishment of a dedicated center intended to handle cases of suspected account fraud. The center is available every day of the week at *5946. The bank warns: "Do not click on suspicious links and do not provide any party with personal information about the account."
Despite everything, fraud attempts continue, and criminals are not taking their foot off the gas. Most of the attempts are made among the elderly and especially among new immigrants who are not alert enough to take the necessary precautions.
