Online scams, the Phishing (and Smishing) emergency continues: the INPS warns users via email

It is certainly not new that the digital identity of theINPS both among the most imitated by the cybercriminals intending to deceive Italian users (At this link An example dated April 2020, in full Lockdown from Covid-19). Yet the latter evidently they continue to fall into the trapthus pushing the scammers to reiterate the fraudulent scheme, if it is true that the same entity chaired by Gabriele Fava He launched Friday a campaign «of Massive sending of email»ATTIGNED TO PROTECT THE CITIZENS » from the growing attempts of Phishing and Smishing that exploit the logo and the name of the Institute « .

The risks

It goes without saying that the basis of the effectiveness of these mechanisms is a question of trust. In fact, they are designed to make the victims believe that they have been contacted by the « real » imitated entity, typically to perform as urgent as well as important operations. In the specific case – the emails that INPS is sending in these days -, « these messages invite to invite to Click on unofficial links To verify, confirm or integrate your data to continue perceiving INPS performance, obtain alleged reimbursements or other similar reasons ». So woe to follow the indications shownotherwise – we still read – «The scammers can: request loans in your name; open fraudulent current accounts; Direct the payments of your services; Activate, without your knowledge, SPID credentials in your name; access the services of the public administration pretending to be you ».

How to defend yourself

According to things, it is clearly a priority know how to defend themselves from such threats. Well: as already written hererecommendation number one simply consists in remembering that No body or service will ask for sensitive data via SMS, phone calls or emails. In addition, unequivocal signs of scam are also the presence of spelling errors and the creation of the aforementioned sense of urgency. Therefore it is not surprising the (quadruple) Recommendation black and white mass from INPS, or remember that:

• The INPS never sends e-mails or SMS with links to confirm data or receive reimbursements but we always invite users to always and only access the institutional website www.inps .it;
• The only e-mails with links that INPS Send are those for investigations on user satisfaction, but they will never ask you for bank or documents;
• The only official INPS website is www .Inps .it. Always check that the address of the site you are visiting Termini with « .Inps. IT », because domains can be created with similar and deceptive denominations (e.g. ISP, IPNS, INPIS and the like);
• If you have doubts, consult the anti-stropefant vademecum on the INPS website, where you find examples of false messages and advice on how to defend you.

The Postal Police form

“If you receive a suspicious message, Don’t click on the link and report it right away!», The email concludes. How to do it? Simple: filling in This online form of the Postal Police. On this pageon the other hand, our most common phone and online scams guide (including phishing and demashing): How to recognize them and what to do to defend yourselfthus avoiding bad surprises.