Cybercriminals target young adults through institutional impersonation

Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting younger populations through sophisticated impersonation tactics. In Poland, research by ChronPESEL.pl and the National Debt Register indicates that 43 percent of adults aged 18-24 have received suspicious messages or calls from individuals posing as public institutions. Notably, the 25-34 age group reported the highest percentage of financial losses due to scammers impersonating entities such as tax offices, social security, or postal services.

Experts suggest that a sense of digital confidence among younger users may lead to decreased vigilance. Scammers often use spoofing to mask phone numbers or email addresses, creating a false sense of urgency regarding unpaid fines or missing documents. These attacks frequently utilize SMS and messaging apps, directing victims to fraudulent websites designed to steal banking credentials or personal data.

Security authorities, including the Cyber Defense Forces, advise against clicking unverified links or downloading unexpected attachments. To mitigate risk, users are encouraged to verify requests directly through official institutional channels and report suspicious messages to CERT Polska.