As reported by the Bolesławiec police:

Fraud is taking increasingly new forms. In this case, criminals seek to obtain the victim’s BLIK code. After hacking into a social media account, the scammer sends friends messages asking for a loan, explaining that there is an urgent need. They then ask for the BLIK code, which enables them to withdraw money from an ATM. The unsuspecting victim is convinced that they are helping a friend.

This is exactly how two female residents of Bolesławiec County were defrauded. One of the victims, thinking she was helping her sister, lost more than 4,000 zlotys. A female resident of the Warta Bolesławiecka municipality was similarly defrauded, believing that she was doing a favor for a friend. By providing the BLIK code, she lost 1,000 zlotys.

Police appeal:

Before giving anyone your BLIK code, make sure that a request for financial assistance is not an attempt at fraud! Scammers use various pretexts—medication, a lost handbag, wallet, lack of money to get home or buy food. They explain that they are short of funds but promise to repay the money in the evening as soon as they receive a transfer. Therefore, it is worth meeting the friend in person or calling them to make sure they really need help.

How not to get scammed?

  • Protect your login credentials and remember to make them difficult for unauthorized persons to decipher. For security, change them every few months.
  • Remember to log out of applications after finishing using them.
  • Do not open emails from unknown senders, especially the attachments they contain.
  • Scammers often impersonate bank websites as well as popular auction and social media portals. If in doubt, do not enter your login or password.