Anti-fraud guide: the most common scams and the rules that can save you

“Just one call” can cost thousands of lei. How to avoid scams

Telephone and online scams have become a daily problem today. The victims are ordinary people — pensioners, young people, employees. Anyone can be a target.

The authorities have taken notice: Bank of Albania, Commissioner for the Personal Data Protection,  National Police and other financial institutions are issuing frequent warnings and running information campaigns.

Iute Albania  firmly condemns any form of fraud and joins this awareness-raising effort.

The most common fraud schemes:

• Fake call from a “bank” or other financial institution — someone pretends to be an official and tells you that your money is at risk, that there is a suspicious transaction, or that someone has taken out a loan in your name. Scammers can spoof the number displayed, making the call appear to be from a legitimate source, in the name of the company.

• Fraud of the “Central Bank” or authorities — an “official representative” convinces you that your money must be “secured” by urgent transfer or handed over in cash to an “agent”. The most common scenarios: checking accounts, blocking fraud, protecting savings, paying non-existent fines or court cases. No real authority works like this.

• “Accident” — you get a call that a relative has an emergency and needs money immediately. The modern variant uses AI-cloned voices that mimic a family member’s voice to create panic.

• Parcel delivery fraud — calls or SMS apparently from Albanian  Poșt Office or from a courier, requesting personal data or unique codes received via SMS, accessing links, etc.

• Fraud on ad platforms  — fake buyer or seller who sends you a link where you enter your card details, or disappears after you pay in advance.

• Remote access — under the guise of “technical support,” you are convinced to install an app through which scammers control your phone and empty your account in real time.

• Fake investments — fictitious platforms with “guaranteed returns” promoted on social media. Sometimes they use the image of well-known public figures to appear credible.

How to recognize a fraud attempt

Regardless of the scenario, the signs are always the same: 

• urgency and pressure — “you have to act now”

• insistent and repeated calls

• requests for bank details, SMS codes or passwords

• the request to keep the conversation “confidential”

• the urge not to contact the bank or relatives

• request to transfer or deliver money urgently

Emotion is their main weapon.  The more agitated you are, the more vulnerable you are.

What a real institution will never ask for

• PIN, password or SMS code

• to transfer money “for safety”

• to hand over cash to a stranger

• install a remote access application

Simple rules that can save you

• Never disclose personal data, PINs, passwords or SMS codes

• Do not transfer or hand over money at the direction of strangers.

• Do not install apps at the request of people who contact you.

• Do not access links in suspicious SMS or emails

• Verify any request through official channels

• Take a break before making any decision, no matter how urgent it seems.

If you have been a victim — act immediately

1. Block the card
2. Contact your bank/financial institution
3. Change passwords
4. Call the police.
5. Keep all evidence

The faster you react, the less damage you can do. If someone is urgently asking you for money or confidential data — stop and check before you act.

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If you receive a suspicious call or message: END THE CALL, CALL 112 IMMEDIATELY, AND CONTACT YOUR BANK.

Banks, the police, and public institutions will never ask—via phone, SMS, WhatsApp, or other channels—for:

• Codes
• Passwords
• full card details
• transfers to “secure accounts”
• taking out a loan to “protect your money”

If you have received suspicious messages on behalf of Iute or believe you have been the target of a scam — contact us immediately through our official channels. We encourage you to share this message with your loved ones.