Italy warns of rising WhatsApp and SMS phishing scams

Authorities and cybersecurity organizations in Italy are warning citizens about a surge in sophisticated phishing and impersonation scams targeting WhatsApp and SMS users.

A prevalent WhatsApp scam involves attackers hijacking accounts or impersonating known contacts to request urgent financial assistance. Fraudsters often claim to have sudden issues with bank cards or accounts, using the familiarity of the contact name to lower the victim's guard. Experts from Codici Emilia-Romagna and the Polizia Postale advise users to verify any unusual money requests via a direct phone call to a known number before making any payments.

Simultaneously, CSIRT Italia has flagged an SMS phishing campaign that mimics official municipal communications. These messages falsely claim there is an unpaid speeding fine, utilizing the branding of services like SEND and pagoPA to appear legitimate. The scam directs users to a fraudulent website designed to harvest personal information and credit card details. Users are urged to enable two-step verification and regularly check linked devices to enhance digital security.