Portugal and Spain issue alerts on new SMS fraud scheme

Portuguese authorities warn that opening a fraudulent link does not automatically mean money has been taken, but rapid action is essential. The Banco de Portugal advises immediate reporting to the bank, while the Centro Nacional de Cibersegurança recommends changing any compromised passwords and disconnecting the device from the internet if malware is suspected. Steps include closing the page, avoiding further interaction, scanning downloaded files, and isolating the device before resuming any banking activity.

Spain's National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE) has raised an alert about a novel "hamburger" SMS scam that requires only a reply to a text offering a free gift. A teenager responded, triggering a subscription to an international premium messaging service that generated dozens of costly messages and inflated the phone bill. The scheme does not involve clicking links or downloading files, making it especially deceptive. Victims are urged not to reply to unsolicited promotional texts and to monitor their phone charges for unexpected activity.