Pix scam is sent by SMS: learn how to protect yourself

The facilities offered by scammers to pay bills end up attracting new victims

The success of the Central Bank’s instant payment system has not only attracted citizens but also caught the attention of criminals. To get easy money, the Pix scam was created, as the tool allows quick movements of amounts of money.

Therefore, the victim has less time to realize that he is being deceived. Through the most recent scam , discounts are offered on credit card bills and cell phone bills. So, not to fall for the Pix scam, see below how this new trick that has been carried out in various regions of the country works. Also check out the top tips to protect yourself.

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How does the PIX scam work?

Scammers have found a new way to lure victims and trick them: offering discounts on credit card or cell phone bills via SMS messages.

In these messages it is informed that financial institutions such as credit card operators and telephone companies are carrying out a campaign to facilitate the payment of paid bills, but the condition to receive this supposed discount is to make the payment through Pix.

The messages often have a fake link that directs the victim to a website where they can get the discounted invoice after providing their personal details. Information such as the credit card brand, the last four digits of the card, in addition to the total amount of the invoice, are also requested.

To finalize the transaction, the site informs a Pix key so that the payment is made with the appropriate discount. In the case of payment of invoices related to cell phones, the Pix key has been informed in the message itself.

How does PIX work?

Pix has been widely used by scammers due to the ease of payment , which is instant. Created by the Central Bank, this virtual tool makes it possible to transfer amounts of different amounts between accounts in a few seconds, at any time, even on days such as Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

Pix payments can be made from a checking account, savings account or prepaid payment account. To use Pix, the customer registers his key must access the application or internet banking of his institution and inform the key of the person who will receive the money.

Quickly, the amount falls into the account and the person can move normally. According to the Central Bank, there is no minimum limit for payments or transfers via Pix. This means that you can make transactions from R$0.01. In general, there is also no maximum limit on amounts, but institutions that offer Pix can set limits based on criteria for mitigating the risk of fraud and other crimes.

This practicality, however, is not seen when canceling the sending of a Pix or getting the amount back. If this is necessary, the Central Bank’s orientation is to negotiate with the recipient the return of the amount. Another option is to contact the financial institution and request that the chargeback be made. This can be done if the money has not yet been withdrawn.

The customer can also file a complaint through the institution’s own service channels and the Central Bank and file a complaint with the Police. To prove the situation, keep all documents and evidence.

How to protect yourself from Pix’s scam?

Specialists point out that the messages have been sent through short-codes, which are the numbers that are usually used by companies. This can end up confusing the victim, who believes they are communicating with financial institutions.

Therefore, the guideline is to be aware of possible signs that the message is false. A tip is always to be suspicious of promises that are very advantageous and prices of products that are below the original value. In addition, if you receive any message that has links, do not click or share or enter personal, bank account or credit card information on unknown sites.

To ensure that this is an official contact for companies or financial institutions, look for the communication and customer service channels to confirm the information on what is being offered. Here are some tips from the Central Bank:

Access Pix only in your institution’s environment;
Check the Pix recipient on the confirmation screen;
Confirm that the request for money by a relative or friend via the messaging app is true;

Scams by WhatsApp

With the intention of convincing the citizen to transfer values or make improper payments, criminals also have other types of scams. One of them is the hijacking of WhatsApp accounts, to achieve this, products, courses, services or sweepstakes are offered.

Then, to confirm the adhesion, they ask the victim to inform the code that was sent to the cell phone. But this is the six-digit verification code that makes it possible to access the profile from another device. With this, scammers are able to contact people close to the victim to ask for financial help.

In most cases, money is requested to be transferred by Pix, which also makes it difficult to immediately identify the scam