Security starts with every electronic transaction you make

Fraud is constantly evolving. At Piraeus Bank, we use advanced methods to protect your transactions and data. Learn about the most common types of fraud and the warning signs to look out for.

How to Make Secure Transactions

Essential protection measures:

• Set transaction limits according to your actual needs.
• Do not open unexpected links received via Viber, SMS, email or social media. Use only the Piraeus app or the Bank’s official website.
• Do not install remote-access applications, such as AnyDesk or TeamViewer, following instructions given over the phone.
• Regularly review the devices connected to the Piraeus app and remove any devices you no longer use or do not recognise.
  
  • In Piraeus e-banking: Security settings> Device management
  • In the Piraeus app: Piraeus settings> Profile> Mobile device management
• If you notice suspicious activity, you can immediately disable access to Piraeus e-banking, either from the e-banking login page or from the Piraeus app home screen. At the same time, immediately notify the Bank through its official communication channels.

During the transaction:

• Check the beneficiary’s name and IBAN, even when a match is displayed through the Verification of Payee service (VoP).
• Do not share e-banking login credentials (username, password) or card details (CVV, PIN, card number), and do not carry out transactions by following instructions from third parties.
• Always read the entire SMS or Viber message and carefully check what it refers to.
  

Stop and check before selecting “Confirm”. A moment of attention can prevent fraud.

Protection against phishing

Phishing is an attempt to deceive you in order to steal personal and banking information, such as e-banking credentials, a card PIN or CVV code, extra PIN codes, ID card or passport details, or your tax identification number.

Fraudsters may contact you through deceptive emails, SMS messages (smishing), messaging apps or social media. They may also use links, QR codes or advertisements that lead to fake websites.

They often pretend to be contacting you on behalf of the Bank, a public-sector organisation or a well-known company. They may ask you to select a link to cancel or confirm a transaction, unlock or activate your account, update your details, or receive a refund or benefit payment.

How to protect yourself

• Do not select links you receive unexpectedly.
• Do not enter e-banking credentials or card details on a page opened through a message or email.
• Do not share your PIN, CVV or transaction confirmation codes (extra PIN).
• Do not approve a transaction that you did not initiate.
• Carefully check the website address before entering any information.
• Access the Bank only through the Piraeus app or by typing the official web address yourself.

Remember:

The Bank will never ask you to disclose your login credentials, your card PIN or an extra PIN code.

Extra PIN code: Always read the entire SMS or Viber message carefully so that you know which action or transaction you are being asked to confirm.

If you have already entered information on a suspicious website or approved a transaction you do not recognise, contact the Bank immediately using its official contact details.

Protection against investment scams

Investment scams are often presented as highly attractive opportunities involving shares, cryptocurrencies or other types of investment. Fraudsters may present themselves as investment advisers or company representatives and use professional-looking websites, advertisements, social media, messaging apps or fake profiles to gain your trust.

Recognise the warning signs. Be particularly cautious when:

• You are promised guaranteed or very high returns with little or no risk.
• You are pressured to invest or transfer money immediately.
• After the first investment, you are asked to make new and repeated payments.
• You are asked to install a remote-access application, such as AnyDesk or TeamViewer.
• You are asked for personal information, card or account details, or login credentials.
• You are instructed to open an account or a digital wallet and carry out specific actions.
• You are told that, in order to withdraw your money, you must first pay additional taxes or charges. Do not rely solely on the profits or returns displayed on the investment platform. They may be misleading or fictitious and may be used to persuade you to invest more money.

Before transferring money:

Check the company and its licence, carry out independent research and do not rely solely on what you see on a website, advertisement or social media.

Never give anyone remote access to your device and do not follow links sent to you to log in to e-banking. Use the Piraeus app directly or the Bank’s official channels.

Do not follow such instructions. Fraudsters may coach you on what to tell the Bank or ask you to conceal the real reason for a money transfer.

Also be particularly cautious of individuals or companies that contact you later and claim that they can recover the money you lost in exchange for a fee.

Important information about the Verification of Payee (VoP) service:

Even if a “Beneficiary Match” result is displayed, this does not mean that the transaction is safe. VoP confirms only that the name matches the IBAN, not that the caller or payment request is genuine.The person contacting you may know and provide the beneficiary’s exact name so that a “Beneficiary Match” result appears and convinces you to proceed. Therefore, even if the name matches, do not assume that the transaction is safe and do not rely on the details supplied to you.

Remember:

Extra PIN code: Always read the entire SMS or Viber message carefully so that you know which action or transaction you are being asked to confirm.

Even if a “Beneficiary Match” result is displayed, this does not mean that the transaction is safe. VoP confirms only that the name matches the IBAN, not that the caller or payment request is genuine.

If anything appears suspicious, do not proceed with another transaction or payment and contact the Bank immediately using its official contact details.

Protection against telephone scams

Fraudsters may pose as bank employees, accountants, representatives of public-sector organisations, utility companies or technical support teams, as well as prospective buyers, customers or business partners. They may also impersonate a relative or someone close to you and claim that the person is facing a serious health problem, accident or other emergency, requesting that money be sent immediately. Common pretexts include the payment of a benefit, refund, back payment or financial assistance, payment for a purchase or reservation, or an alleged technical or banking problem.

In some cases, fraudsters use caller ID spoofing. This technique falsifies the caller information displayed on your phone, so a familiar or apparently trustworthy number may appear on the screen even though the call is coming from someone else.

Common types of fraud:

1. Impersonation of a Bank employee
   The fraudster claims that a suspicious transaction or problem with your account has been detected and pressures you to disclose credentials, approve a transaction or transfer money to an alleged “safe account”.
   Do not trust a call simply because a recognisable number appears on your screen.
   
   
2. The “second call”
   After a suspicious or unsuccessful fraud attempt, a second call may follow from someone posing as a Bank employee and offering to “protect” you.
   End the call and contact the Bank yourself using its official contact details.
   
   
3. Technical support and remote access scams
   The fraudster poses as a technician and claims that there is a problem with your device, e-banking or one of your applications. You are then asked to install a remote-access application, such as AnyDesk or TeamViewer.
   Do not grant remote access to your computer or mobile phone.
   
   
4. Scams involving claims that you will receive money
   The caller poses as an accountant or a representative of an organisation and claims that you are entitled to a benefit, refund, back payment or financial assistance. The caller then directs you to an ATM or to Piraeus e-banking in order to make a money transfer.
   Do not go to an ATM, log in to e-banking or carry out a transaction by following telephone instructions. End the call and verify the information through an official source.
   
   
5. Emergency scam
   The fraudster impersonates a relative or someone close to you, or claims to be calling from a hospital, clinic or other service on that person’s behalf. The fraudster reports a serious accident, urgent health problem or other emergency and pressures you to send or hand over money immediately for alleged hospitalisation, treatment or medical expenses.
   End the call and contact your relative or the person close to you directly, using the number you already know.

Remember:

A payment means that money leaves your account. It is not a process for receiving money.

Extra PIN code: Always read the entire SMS or Viber message carefully so that you know which action or transaction you are being asked to confirm.

Verification of Payee (VoP) service: Even if a “Beneficiary Match” result is displayed, this does not mean that the transaction is safe. VoP confirms only that the name matches the IBAN, not that the caller or payment request is genuine.

If anything appears suspicious, do not proceed with another transaction or payment and contact the Bank immediately using its official contact details.

Protection against scams involving online purchases, sales, classified advertisements and financing offers

Online purchases, e-shops and classified advertising platforms make transactions easier and faster. However, fraudsters may also use them to persuade you to send money, make a payment or disclose personal and banking information. Scams may appear in the form of a fake e-shop, misleading advertisement, fraudulent link or QR code, or as an alleged process for “receiving” money from a sale.

Common types of fraud:

1. Fake online shops and non-delivery of products
   You may encounter an online shop or advertisement offering especially attractive prices and pay for a product that is never delivered or is of significantly lower value or quality than advertised.
   The appearance of a website alone is not sufficient proof that the shop is trustworthy.
   
   
2. Scams when selling through an online advertisement
   Fraud can also occur when you are the seller.
   A supposed buyer may claim to have already paid you or say that you must follow specific steps in order to receive your money.
   For example, the supposed buyer may send you a link or QR code, or guide you through a process that ultimately causes you to make a payment instead of receiving money.
   
   
3. Fraudulent loan and financing offers
   You may encounter advertisements or posts promising easy or immediate loan approval, even on particularly favourable terms.
   Fraudsters may ask you to pay money in advance, supposedly for application fees, commissions, insurance, a guarantee or other costs required for the “approval” or “disbursement” of the loan.
   Be particularly cautious when you are asked to pay money in advance in order to receive a loan, especially through an advertisement, social media or an unverified provider.
   
   
4. Fraudulent QR codes

A QR code may lead you to a fake website that resembles a genuine one and may be used to steal personal or banking information.
Be especially cautious if, after scanning it, you are asked to:

• enter e-banking credentials
• provide card details or an extra PIN code
• approve a transaction that you did not initiate
• download an application or file

        5. Fraudulent use of an RF payment code

An RF electronic payment code is used to make a payment to a business or organisation.
If someone instructs you to make an RF payment while claiming that this will allow you to “receive”, “unlock” or “activate” money, stop and carefully check exactly what you are approving.
Before making the payment, confirm:
• who issued the code
• the actual debt or obligation to which the payment relates
• which organisation you are about to pay
• the amount that will be charged

Remember:

A payment means that money leaves your account. It is not a process for receiving money.

Εxtra PIN code: Always read the entire SMS or Viber message carefully so that you know which action or transaction you are being asked to confirm.

Verification of Payee (VoP) service: Even if a “Beneficiary Match” result is displayed, this does not mean that the transaction is safe. VoP confirms only that the name matches the IBAN, not that the caller or payment request is genuine.

If anything appears suspicious, do not proceed with another transaction or payment and contact the Bank immediately using its official contact details.

Protection against scams through social media and messaging apps

Social media and messaging apps make communication, meeting people and shopping easier. At the same time, fraudsters use them to create fake profiles, compromise accounts and send misleading messages, with the aim of obtaining money or personal and banking information.

Fraudsters may pose as friends, relatives, business partners, prospective buyers, investment advisers or people seeking to form a romantic relationship. They may also use the name, photograph or video of well-known or famous people, such as athletes, artists or businesspeople.

The approach may begin through a post, advertisement, private message or an account that appears to belong to someone you know. Fraudsters then try to move the conversation to a private messaging app, gain your trust and persuade you to make a payment, transfer money or disclose your credentials.

Be particularly cautious when:

• Someone you recently met online expresses intense feelings very quickly or immediately seeks to establish a relationship of trust.
• There are inconsistencies between the person’s profile, photographs and story.
• The communication gradually leads to requests for money, gifts, banking details or investments.
• A friend or relative suddenly asks for money by message because of an emergency.
• The profile is new, has limited activity or includes an unusual username.
• An account belonging to a famous person sends you a private message or asks for money, personal information or participation in an investment.
• An advertisement uses an image or video of a famous person to promise profits or guaranteed returns.
• Someone repeatedly avoids meeting or having a live video call.
• You are asked to keep the relationship, offer or investment secret.
• You are pressured to continue the conversation on a different application.
• You are asked for an extraPIN code, e-banking credentials or card details.
• You are sent a link to log in, receive money, vote, enter a competition or claim a gift.
• You are asked to pay an upfront fee, tax or other costs in order to receive money or a gift.
• After the first payment, new problems repeatedly arise and additional amounts are requested.

Remember:

A payment means that money leaves your account. It is not a process for receiving money.

Εxtra PIN code: Always read the entire SMS or Viber message carefully so that you know which action or transaction you are being asked to confirm.

Verification of Payee (VoP) service: Even if a “Beneficiary Match” result is displayed, this does not mean that the transaction is safe. VoP confirms only that the name matches the IBAN, not that the caller or payment request is genuine.

If anything appears suspicious, stop communicating and verify the sender’s identity. Do not send money or information. Do not open any further links or share credentials, and contact the Bank immediately using its official contact details.