Outsmart the love scammers
Monday 13 February 2023
At UniCredit we take our customer’s security very seriously. This Valentine’s Day protect your heart and wallet from online fraudsters by following our top 5 tips and tricks to avoid the most common love scams that can easily endanger your digital identity and savings.
Valentine's Day is a time to celebrate love, but also to be aware of scammers trying to exploit emotions. Some of the most common scams are fake travel deals, Valentine's Day contests, charity scams, e-card scams and present delivery scams. The first step is to be cautious of unsolicited messages, phone calls and emails and of course to protect your personal data. Only buy from trustworthy sources and don't fall for scams that promise expensive gifts or romantic trips.
UniCredit takes customer security very seriously and will never request personal or financial information via email or phone. Our clients can easily verify the authenticity of requests by calling the official UniCredit customer service number, available 24/7.
By using solid security measures and robust payment systems, we protect the transactions of our clients and ensure safe and secure transfer of funds. We also train our employees regularly to detect and prevent fraudulent activities.
For added security we recommend enabling two-factor authentication and using only official UniCredit channels for your financial transactions.
To protect yourself and your wallet here are some insights in the most common scams and some tips to empower you to safeguarding your digital identity and savings:
Scammers create fake travel deals, luring people with romantic getaways at incredibly low prices. They ask for a deposit or full payment upfront and then disappear with the money. Be cautious of any unsolicited travel offers and make sure you do your research carefully before booking a trip and use reliable travel agencies or websites. Remember, an online travel agency should have the same references (address, VAT number, contact details) as a “physical” travel agency.
Scammers create fake contests, offering attractive prizes such as romantic trips or expensive jewellery. They ask you to provide personal information or pay a fee to enter the contest. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is not.
Fraudsters will create false charities and request donations in the name of Valentine's Day, but the money will go to the fraudsters and not to a legitimate charity. Therefore, investigate thoroughly any charity you are considering donating to and stick to established organizations.
Beware of fake e-cards from unknown senders as they may contain malware that can steal your personal information or damage your computer. Be careful when opening e-cards from unfamiliar sources.
Scammers create websites or social media pages pretending to be flower delivery services or gift shops. They collect the payment for the orders but will not deliver the flowers or gifts you ordered. To avoid being scammed, buy only from trustworthy shops.
Trust your instinct and remember, true love has no price tag.
Stay safe this Valentine's Day.