The most frequent Bizum scams you should know

Bizum is indeed a popular option for sending and receiving money, especially for splitting bills at restaurants or contributing to gifts among colleagues. However, it’s essential to be cautious as there are various scams associated with Bizum that you should be aware of and avoid.

Scammers have devised several fraudulent schemes related to Bizum, and both users and law enforcement authorities such as the Civil Guard and the Police have issued warnings. It is crucial to familiarize yourself with these scams to prevent falling victim to them or to address any issues promptly. Some common Bizum scams include scams on platforms like Wallapop and the classic reverse Bizum scam. If you are unsure about what these scams entail and are concerned about them, allow us to explain.

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Most common Bizum scams

One of the most common Bizum scams involves receiving requests for money under false pretenses. Scammers may pose as legitimate payment requests or claim to offer special deals related to our telephone company, among other tactics. It’s important to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of such requests to avoid falling into these traps.

Fake buyer

One common scam that frequently occurs on platforms and applications for buying and selling second-hand products involves fraudulent transactions on Wallapop and Bizum, as well as similar platforms. In this scam, instead of receiving payment for the item you’re selling, the scammer requests money from you. The unfortunate outcome is that not only will you lose the money, but you’ll also lose the product you’ve already sent to the scammer.

Bizum warns users to be cautious if they receive a message within the application requesting money without actually receiving any in return. Carelessness and trust can lead us to accept these requests without carefully reading the transaction details. By accepting the operation, we inadvertently end up making a payment instead of receiving one, falling victim to the scam. This reverse Bizum scam is one of the most common, so it’s crucial to exercise caution and remain vigilant.

Whatsapp contact

Another common Bizum scam that has been highlighted by the Civil Guard is when a contact from our phonebook reaches out to us via WhatsApp, claiming to have made a mistaken payment to us. In cases where the person is someone we trust, we often fail to verify the accuracy of their claim and proceed with refunding the money, resulting in our own loss. However, in reality, we haven’t received any payment, and the individual contacting us is not our genuine contact but a scammer who has obtained their phone number or is impersonating them.

In such situations, it is crucial to take a few minutes to investigate the authenticity of the claim made by our alleged contact. It is advisable to communicate with them directly through a phone call to confirm the situation and ensure it is not a scam. Additionally, reviewing our Bizum transaction history can help verify if a deposit has genuinely been made to our account. By exercising caution and verifying the facts, we can protect ourselves from falling victim to this type of scam.

Fraudulent calls from mobile operators

The Police have also issued a warning regarding fraudulent calls from mobile operators offering special deals or bill reductions. Scammers take advantage of these calls to deceive unsuspecting individuals. If we fall for the offer, they will request our bank account or credit card information. The scammers then link this data to a Bizum account, which requires a PIN for various transactions.

To deceive the victim, the scammers falsely claim that the provided code is necessary to activate the offered promotion. In reality, it is a code used to activate Bizum on another device, granting them access to your account and enabling them to steal your money. It is crucial never to disclose the code and to remain vigilant about all the details when dealing with such calls or requests. By exercising caution and refraining from sharing sensitive information, we can protect ourselves from falling victim to these scams.

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Social Security Scam

Vishing is a fraud that is carried out through a telephone call with the aim of obtaining personal or bank details of the person who receives the call One of the most popular vishing scams is known as the “Social Security scam”. The Internet User Security Office already alerted at the time of the alleged scam that consists of making calls that impersonate Social Security to charge users through Bizum.

How is this scam carried out? A supposed Social Security official makes a call with the excuse of returning an amount of money, receiving aid or collecting unemployment. The cybercriminal sends a notification through Bizum to the victim, in some cases even the sender may appear as “TGSS” to give it greater credibility. The deception occurs when the request that is received is not to make a payment, but rather a request for collection. As in the previous case, if the person accepts it, the charge will be made. There have also been cases with the Treasury and the Post Office.

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“Mandala of Abundance” Scam

There is a fraudulent scheme circulating on platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook, masquerading as a solidarity movement. The scam promises substantial earnings by making a modest transfer of 33 euros through Bizum. The victim is instructed to convince two other individuals to participate in the scheme, creating a pyramid-like structure. Unfortunately, this is a clear case of a pyramid scam.

Engaging in this scheme not only results in financial loss for the victim but also causes harm to others who fall prey to it. It is crucial to recognize and avoid such fraudulent messages. If you receive such a message, it is advisable to delete it immediately to protect yourself and prevent further dissemination of the hoax.

What to do if we have been scammed

To avoid falling victim to Bizum scams, it is essential to exercise common sense and caution when using applications and assessing the trustworthiness of received messages. However, if you have already been targeted by one of the common Bizum scams, there are recommended steps to follow, as outlined on the payment service help page.

The first step is to acknowledge that all transaction details are recorded in Bizum’s systems. This is advantageous because, as the app assures, there is always a trace and the information of the person responsible for the theft can be identified, making it easier to take appropriate action and resolve the situation promptly. Reporting the scam is crucial.

Report the scam to the police, providing them with all the relevant information to enable them to take appropriate measures and facilitate the recovery of your funds. Additionally, notify your bank as soon as possible.

Once you have reported the incident, all that remains is to be patient. Bizum emphasizes their commitment to cooperate fully with the authorities in investigating the alleged fraudster by promptly providing the requested data when formally requested by the competent authorities.