In September 2024, as southern Poland struggled to cope with tragic flooding, cybercriminals took advantage of the chaos by launching numerous phishing attacks. Their main goal was to phish for personal information and deceive people who wanted to support those affected financially. Fake collections and links to phishing sites began to appear en masse on social media, as well as in text messages and emails.
Most Used Phishing Methods in the Flood of 2024
- Fake collections to help flood victims – Scammers created fake campaigns on crowdfunding platforms and sent messages with links to “collections” to help flood victims They impersonated well-known charities such as the Polish Red Cross (PCK) and Siepomaga.pl, creating pages almost identical to the original ones In this way, they tried to inspire trust and extort money from donors.
- Email and SMS Phishing – Cybercriminals sent out emails and SMS messages offering updates on the flooding or appealing for immediate financial assistance. Clicking on the links in the messages led to phishing sites that offered personal information or contained malware.
- Impersonating Official Institutions – Attackers often pretended to be representatives of the fire department, local authorities or other institutions involved in flood relief. They demanded quick deposits to designated accounts, claiming that the money was needed to support rescue operations.
How to Protect Yourself from Phishing during Crises?
In the face of such risks, caution is key. Before making any payments, it’s a good idea to pay attention to:
- Sender addresses – Make sure the email or SMS comes from an official source.
- Links to collection sites – Always verify the authenticity of websites before making donations. Avoid suspicious links in messages from unknown senders.
- Official messages – Use verified sources, such as sites of state institutions that publish lists of verified collections.
Hundreds of people have fallen victim to these scams, leading to an increased information campaign by police and state institutions warning of phishing threats.
Summary
Phishing during the 2024 flood in Poland shows how cybercriminals ruthlessly use crises to achieve their goals. Let’s remember that a moment of caution can save us from losing data or money.
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