{"id":43834,"date":"2023-10-25T12:39:06","date_gmt":"2023-10-25T12:39:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/histarmar.net\/?p=43834"},"modified":"2023-10-25T12:39:06","modified_gmt":"2023-10-25T12:39:06","slug":"hsbc-issues-urgent-warning-after-growing-scam-tricks-britons-to-lose-money","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/histarmar.net\/world-news\/hsbc-issues-urgent-warning-after-growing-scam-tricks-britons-to-lose-money\/","title":{"rendered":"HSBC issues urgent warning after growing scam ‘tricks’ Britons to lose money"},"content":{"rendered":"

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HSBC UK has issued an urgent warning to users of mobile phones and tablet devices about downloading \u2018Dummy Apps\u2019.<\/p>\n

These dummy apps, also called \u2018fake apps\u2019, are downloaded onto devices, increasing the likelihood of someone becoming a scam victim and losing significant amounts of money.<\/p>\n

Criminals can make fake or fraudulent apps and trick people into downloading them onto their phones by clicking unsafe links, or not using their phone\u2019s official app store.<\/p>\n

The warning comes as the bank has seen a spike in the number of cases, with dozens of customers downloading a dummy app within the last couple of weeks.<\/p>\n

One of these fake apps is called \u2018PDF AI\u2019 which impersonates a genuine app with a similar name.<\/p>\n

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The dummy apps ask for personal information like usernames or credit card details which could then be used by criminals to try and steal your money.<\/p>\n

These fake mobile apps contain malware, which can block, redirect or impersonate legitimate apps including the HSBC Mobile Banking app.<\/p>\n

Downloading fake or fraudulent apps exposes devices to malware, adware, phishing, social engineering and fake promotions, ultimately opening consumers up to becoming victims of scams and losing significant amounts of money.<\/p>\n

David Callington, HSBC UK\u2019s Head of Fraud, said: \u201cScammers are devious criminals who use every trick in the book to get hold of your hard-earned money, without any regard for your financial or mental wellbeing.<\/p>\n

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“Cybercriminals develop apps which encourage the user to share personal information, which can then be harvested and used for criminal purposes, potentially leading to your bank account being cleaned out.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur own teams are alive to dummy apps and report them when we come across them, getting them taken down, but criminals make new ones or change the names or designs.<\/p>\n

“It is a constant battle. Customers can help protect themselves by being vigilant and cautious, which are the best defences against this, ensuring you only download apps from trusted sources and do what you can to verify the authenticity of the app before exposing your device.\u201d<\/p>\n