According to the Ministry of Interior, 16% of criminal offenses recorded in 2022 are related to cybercrime. And while general crime has increased by 5.7% in the last two years, internet-related crimes have surged by 72%.
We are increasingly using the internet for both leisure and work. The widespread use of new information and communication technologies in our daily lives intensified during the health crisis, when we became even more aware of the enormous benefits that digitalization can bring. However, we do not seem to be as clear about the challenges and risks it entails.
What should you avoid if you don’t want to be the next victim? We should never give personal information to strangers, copies of identity documents, and much less share security keys (codes or SMS), even if they make you believe they are doing it for your own good. Banks do not need your keys to block cards or accounts if there is a threat or risk to them. Criminals use them to impersonate you. When they get hold of them, they can open accounts in your name or access your money as if they were you.
What can we do if we fall victim to fraud? It is essential to contact the authorities and file a report, just as we would in the event of a theft. It is also crucial to monitor any information that appears about us on social media. Furthermore, if there is a financial loss or loss of security credentials, we must contact our bank through a secure channel so that they can take the necessary measures to mitigate the possible consequences as much as possible.
José Luis Martínez Campuzano, spokesperson for the Spanish Banking Association
