During the last three years The online scams and fraud subtracted from the Italians almost 560 million euros. A search for Fabi (the Italian Banking Federation), which analyzed the data relating to the years 2022, 2023 and 2024. The annual figure that scammers steal from citizens and businesses is continuously increasing.
Fabi underlined the importance of not underestimating the basic practices of computer security, Like those concerning PIN and Password. A tip that applies mainly for applications and home banking sites.
Online scams are growing in Italy
Of the 559.4 million euros subtracted on the internet from the Italians between 2022 and 2024, a significant part derives from Online scamswhile a minority from computer fraud.
In 2022 114.4 million euros were subtracted via scams and 38.5 via fraud. The following year a 20% of the first and 4.3% of the latter occurred.
Another leap occurred between 2023 and 2024, when the scams increased by another 43.8 million euros, reaching 181 million. Important growth also for fraud, which touched 48 million thanks to an increase of almost 20% per year.
Credit cards and bank accounts targeted
Fabi has also released the most common characteristics of online scams. Usually, fraudulent communications are distinguished by an urgent request for sensitive information, an almost completely absent practice in legitimate banks and other financial institutions.
The credentials for access to credit and debit cardswho give the scammers the opportunity to quickly access the victims of the victims.
Digital wallets and bank transfers follow, which could soon become the next targets of the scams due to the lowering of the prices of instant wire transfers.
The most popular scam techniques
The favorite technique of online scammers remains phishing. These are emails with legitimate appearance, who ask to download files, click on links or directly to provide information.
The criminals pretend to be a bank or an insurance company, often with very convincing impersonifications.
Truffaldine communications can also arrive via WhatsApp and, leaving the world of online, also via SMS.
The increasing diffusion ofartificial intelligence He is then internationalizing these scams.
Malintenance from all over the world can in fact use the generative IA to write convincing emails in all the most common languages.
Tips to prevent fraud
Fabi has also spread a series of tips to prevent fraud. The first part of these suggestions, the things to do to avoid being scammed, has to do above all with basic computer security behaviors.
Use Safe Passwords and Pin, change them often and set authentication in multiple factors. Rely only to official links and keep your devices updated, especially as regards firewalls.
The things not to do mainly concern the personal information, From bank credentials to credit card numbers, which should never be revealed to anyone. Other tips are to avoid agreeing to share their screen and do not leave digital devices unattended.
