In the era of digitalization, share personal documents such as ID on the Internet It has become frequent, but also dangerous, since it opens the door to scams and identity theft. However, there are precautionary measures that we can take to minimize these risks, disseminated by the State Security Forces and Bodies.
The main risk of sharing your ID online is identity fraud. Cybercriminals can use a copy of the DNI to commit various frauds, such as opening bank accounts or requesting loans in the victim's name. This can lead to financial and legal problems, making it difficult to prove that you have been a victim of impersonation.
How to share your ID on the Internet
Cybercriminals continue to develop increasingly sophisticated methods to deceive their victims. One of the most worrying scams for the National Police is related to the theft of National Identity Documents (DNI). We often share our ID to carry out routine procedures, and during this process of exchanging information, there is a risk that it will fall into the hands of scammers eager to obtain data that they can use for their illicit purposes.
To avoid possible scams when sharing our ID, the National Police suggests a series of precautionary measures. First of all, it is advised send the image of the DNI in black and white instead of color. This is because a black and white image gives the impression of being more of a photocopy than an official document, which could make it difficult to misuse in certain procedures.
Furthermore, it is important pixelate the signature and other unnecessary data in the DNI image. By doing so, it prevents the signature from being copied and used to impersonate the owner, thus reducing the risk of fraud.
Finally, it is recommended write a short text accompanying the image of the DNI, explaining the reason why it is being shared on the Internet. This measure provides additional context and can help verify the authenticity of the document's use.
The false rent scam
He fraud on real estate or vacation rental ad portals It is an increasingly common problem. Scammers often operate in a subtle manner, seeking to obtain personal information from their victims.
When a user shows interest in an ad, the supposed owner of the property may begin to raise red flags. Instead of allowing direct visits to the apartment, request additional information as a prerequisite to organize a visit. This may include data such as payroll and the interested party's ID.
The high demand for rental housing causes scammers to take advantage of various justifications to obtain personal information. They may argue the need to carry out a prior study to select candidates or request data to streamline bureaucratic procedures.
Someone affected by this type of scam shared her experience, where the scammers offered a rental apartment and They asked for payroll and ID by WhatsApp to reserve it. Without suspecting fraudulent intentions, the affected party provided her data, which was used to request quick loans without her consent.
Misuse of personal data can have serious consequences, such as access to fraudulent credits. The National Police has dismantled schemes that used stolen DNIs to open bank accounts and request loans. Despite the controls implemented by financial institutions, some fraudsters manage to evade them and take advantage of them fraudulently.
Rental platforms try to combat these frauds by removing fake ads, but Scammers adapt quickly to avoid detection. There is no specific pattern, as scammers update their methods in order to continue going unnoticed.
Beware of the scam that impersonates the National Police
On the other hand, it has recently been identified phishing campaign that impersonates the identity of the National Police, with the aim of distributing malware through fake emails. In these messages, reference is made to an alleged police report and a request is made to appear as a witness at a specific hearing.
Cybercriminals include in the email a link that supposedly leads to downloading the subpoena, but in reality installs a Trojan called Mekotio on the device. This malware is designed to steal bitcoins, as well as obtain data and access credentials to web pages. Additionally, it may damage the system by deleting important files.
Fraudulent emails have matters such as “Police report issued” and use source addresses with similar, but random, domain structures. Despite this, hackers could use other subjects and addresses, so it is advisable to exercise extreme caution when receiving suspicious messages.
It is important Do not open or click on links in unknown emails. If the malicious file has been downloaded, it should be deleted immediately and the email marked as spam. If you run the file, it is recommended to disconnect the device from the network.