Fake Payment Requests via Mobile Banking Apps: New Scam Targeting Smartphone Users

Italian police warn of a new fraud campaign exploiting mobile payment apps. Scammers send fake payment requests to numerous users, counting on some to approve them without proper verification. The scam relies on creating a false sense of urgency to bypass careful review.

How the Scam Works

This fraud exploits mobile payment services that use phone numbers as identifiers, such as Bancomat Pay. Users may fall victim through the following sequence:

A payment request from an unknown sender appears in the mobile banking app
The notification creates artificial urgency, suggesting immediate action is required
The user approves the request without thoroughly verifying who sent it or why
Funds are withdrawn from the victim's bank account

Rather than targeting specific individuals, scammers send payment requests to large numbers of users, betting that a portion will approve them without careful scrutiny.

Warning Signs

You can identify fraudulent requests by looking for these indicators:

The sender is unknown or unfamiliar
The payment reason is vague or unclear
The message emphasizes urgency, such as "respond immediately"
The request arrives at an unusual time or for an unexpected amount
The sender is a known contact but the request seems unusual

Prevention and Protection

When receiving notifications from payment apps, follow these steps:

Stay calm: Do not let artificial urgency push you into hasty decisions
Verify the sender: Confirm the requester's identity independently before proceeding
Check the reason: Ask yourself if there is a legitimate reason for this payment request
Decline if uncertain: When in doubt, refuse the request without hesitation
Contact your bank: If you continue receiving suspicious requests, report them to your financial institution
Enable protections: Check if your payment app offers additional security features or two-factor authentication

Where to Report

If you have fallen victim to this scam or received suspicious payment requests, report it to the Italian Postal Police (Polizia Postale) immediately. Also contact your mobile payment service provider to report the fraudulent request and consider filing a formal complaint with your bank.