Bank scam alert

THE Guardia Civil are currently investigating a massive bank scam in Mallorca.

Victims are contacted by phone, with the scammers impersonating their bank telephone number so that the target thinks they are talking to a branch employee.

Ironically, the fraudsters actually pretend to be helping the victim from falling prey to a cyberattack.

According to a report by a local news source, users first receive a text message stating: ‘(Name of the bank) has stopped a transaction of €2,000 to Amazon Poland. Our agents will call you’.

A member of the gang then telephones the victim and tries to keep them on the line, insisting that it is vital to “stay in touch until your account is fully secure.” The scammers then convince the victim to tell them their PIN number to withdraw money from cash machines, or alternatively ask for the account code and within seconds steal up to €2,000.

Dozens of people have reportedly been affected, with more than €30,000 stolen each month. If contacted, the Guardia Civil advises potential victims to hang up immediately and report the call to the authorities.

Major banks, such as BB­