Finnish police warn citizens of potential phone scams through mass text messages
The Finnish police have sent text messages to tens of thousands of citizens warning them about potential phone scams. These messages are part of a nationwide effort addressing a criminal scheme where scammers attempt to obtain individuals’ online banking credentials over the phone.
Kimmo Halunen, a professor of cybersecurity at the University of Oulu and the National Defence University, believes that these messages can be a useful tool in preventing fraud. “This can be beneficial. It allows us to target those who are more likely to fall victim to the scam,” he stated. While he is not familiar with the specifics of the case, he commented generally that scams are prevalent and that completely preventing them is challenging. “I don’t think we have a perfect solution that would eliminate all opportunities for cybercriminals and scammers.”
Janne Kyllönen, the lead investigator of the phone scam case, informed Yle that the scammers impersonate officials from banks or financial institutions during calls, creating a social environment that encourages individuals to share their online banking credentials.
Halunen emphasizes the effectiveness of these criminals due to their ability to be convincing. “Those who do this for a living know how to make their stories very appealing and credible.”
He advises individuals to take a moment before responding to suspicious calls and to verify the information through other means before divulging critical details or sending money. “If it is a good and exceptional deal, it will still be there later.”
If a caller claims to represent an organization, he recommends searching for that organization online to confirm the representative’s identity. “If you can’t find such a person, alarm bells should ring.”
Scammers may also create a sense of urgency or invoke fears of authoritative action. In such cases, Halunen advises cutting off the conversation, as disengaging from the situation might be the only way to halt an attempt at fraud, although it can be difficult if the scammer is skilled.