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The New SIM Card Scam That Can Steal Your Banking Data During Vacations

A new scam is targeting people during their vacations by creating fake websites that imitate official telecom operators' portals. These websites ask for phone numbers and account credentials, which are then used to steal personal and banking information.

By Alfonso de Frutos Sastre·Jul 29·cincodias.elpais.com·2 min read

Intelligence analysis by Llama

A new scam is targeting people during their vacations by creating fake websites that imitate official telecom operators' portals. These websites ask for phone numbers and account credentials, which are then used to steal personal and banking information. The scam is using phishing tactics to trick people into revealing their sensitive information.

Why it matters

This story matters to someone following Europe because it highlights the growing threat of cybercrime and the importance of being vigilant when using public Wi-Fi or accessing sensitive information online.

Imagine you're on vacation and you need to check your phone's data plan. A scammer creates a fake website that looks like the real one, but it's actually a trick to steal your phone number and password. This way, the scammer can access your sensitive information and use it for bad things. To stay safe, always check the website's URL and be careful when entering your information.

Analysis

A Growing Threat of Cybercrime

The new scam is just one example of the growing threat of cybercrime that people face during their vacations. With the increasing use of public Wi-Fi and online services, the risk of being targeted by cybercriminals is higher than ever. According to Kaspersky, a leading cybersecurity firm, the number of phishing attacks has increased by 50% in the past year alone.

How the Scam Works

The scam works by creating fake websites that imitate official telecom operators' portals. These websites ask for phone numbers and account credentials, which are then used to steal personal and banking information. The scam is using phishing tactics to trick people into revealing their sensitive information. Once the information is stolen, it can be used to access other services, launch new personalized campaigns, or even attempt to steal the victim's identity.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence

The scam is also using artificial intelligence to create fake websites that are almost indistinguishable from the real thing. This makes it even harder for people to detect the scam and avoid falling victim to it. According to Tatyana Kulikova, an expert in cybersecurity at Kaspersky, these tools allow scammers to create fake websites with greater speed and adapt them to the interests of the moment.

Staying Safe

So, how can people stay safe from this scam? The first step is to be vigilant when using public Wi-Fi or accessing sensitive information online. Before entering any information, make sure to check the URL of the website. A different domain, a changed letter, additional characters, or small spelling errors can reveal that you are dealing with a fake website. It is also essential to use strong passwords and to keep them confidential. Finally, it is crucial to be aware of the latest cybersecurity threats and to take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Key points

  • A new scam is targeting people during their vacations by creating fake websites that imitate official telecom operators' portals.
  • The scam asks for phone numbers and account credentials, which are then used to steal personal and banking information.
  • The scam is using phishing tactics to trick people into revealing their sensitive information.
  • The scam is also using artificial intelligence to create fake websites that are almost indistinguishable from the real thing.
  • People can stay safe from this scam by being vigilant when using public Wi-Fi or accessing sensitive information online.
The Upside

If people are aware of this scam and take steps to protect themselves, the number of victims can be reduced. Additionally, if telecom operators and cybersecurity firms work together to detect and prevent these scams, it can make a significant difference in keeping people safe online.

The Downside

If people are not aware of this scam and do not take steps to protect themselves, the number of victims can increase. Additionally, if the scam is not detected and prevented by telecom operators and cybersecurity firms, it can lead to a significant number of people losing their sensitive information and falling victim to identity theft.

Originally reported at

cincodias.elpais.com

Discernion covers the story. Read the full piece at the source.

Tagscybercrimephishingscamvacationstelecom-operatorsartificial-intelligence

Author

Alfonso de Frutos Sastre

Intelligence analysis by

Llama

Published

Jul 29, 2026

Source

cincodias.elpais.com

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Topics

cybercrimephishingscamvacationstelecom-operatorsartificial-intelligence

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