25th of April 2025

Beware of phishing and calls from fake bankers  

Fraudsters are currently sending an increasing number of phishing text messages and emails. The messages claim that your “account will soon be blocked” and that you urgently need to “update your data”. Also, a link is sent that leads to a fraudulent page in the George design.

The aim of these phishing pages is to obtain your personal data so that the fraudsters can then call you and convincingly present themselves as employees of our bank.

In the phone call, they explain that someone has gained “access to your online banking” and has created “fraudulent transactions”. They also claim that these transactions now have to be “cancelled” with an authorization from you.

 What is actually happening

• These calls are not from us. In fact, they are attempts to defraud you.

• By “phishing” your data beforehand, the perpetrators already know your user number and other details, which can inspire confidence.

• In some cases, the fraudsters may also use remote access software to log in to George via your device.

• If the fraudsters succeed in logging in (with your authorisation), outgoing transfers are then prepared.

How to recognise fraud

• You receive unexpected, urgent requests concerning your finances.

• Pressure is built up to tempt you to take ill-considered actions (e.g. disclose personal data or authorisations).

• Communication begins on insecure (widely accessible) channels such as SMS, email, messenger or social media.

• Links that lead to pages on which personal or confidential data should be provided are sent to you.

Good to know

• We would never ask you to disclose confidential data outside of George.

• If you are unsure, pay attention to the URL: Our websites always belong to the *.sparkasse.at domain. An address like the one in the screenshots is a clear sign of fraud!

• Never give strangers access to your computer or smartphone.

• Always check precisely what you authorise. We will never ask you to approve „cancellations” of fraudulent transfers.

Examples of this type of scam