German pension agency warns of AI‑powered phishing attacks

The Deutsche Rentenversicherung (German pension insurance) has alerted customers that fraudsters are now using artificial‑intelligence tools to produce phishing e‑mails that replicate the agency’s logo, layout and official wording. The messages claim a security update for the digital pension portal or promise refunds for alleged contribution errors, directing recipients to counterfeit sites that look identical to the real DRV pages.

The agency says the speed at which new fake domains appear outstrips its ability to block them, and stresses that personal data are never requested via e‑mail. It advises users to scrutinise sender addresses, avoid clicking unsolicited links, and report suspicious messages. The development highlights how AI is lowering the barrier for sophisticated cybercrime, prompting a need for updated security‑awareness training and stronger defensive measures.

The warning applies to all pension recipients in Germany and underscores a broader shift in phishing tactics driven by machine‑learning technology.