Fraudsters using iDeal switch to Wero to snare bank customers

Fraudsters are sending out phishing mails to Dutch bank customers to try to take advantage of the switch from the iDeal payment system to Wero.

The fake messages typically tell customers they are due a refund as a result of the transition to Wero, the European-based system set up under efforts to make EU businesses less dependent on foreign digital services.

Victims are told to verify their identity by clicking on a link in the e-mail, which takes them to a page where the criminals can steal their login details.

The online fraud hotline Fraudehelpdesk.nl said it was currently receiving 100 queries a day about suspicious messages regarding iDeal, after a surge in activity in the last few months.

A frequently seen mail in recent days says the handover took place on August 24 and puts customers under pressure to claim their refund before the “deadline”.

Danial van Delft, CEO of Currence, the company that operates iDeal and Wero, told the Telegraaf: “This is a big change in the payments ecosystem and gives people with bad intentions space to abuse it.

“We see fraudsters becoming more and more inventive. They are trying to latch on to every hook and news item.”

iDeal said people should ignore suspicious emails and not click on links. “iDeal will never ask you to confirm personal details by email, start a verification process or install software,” the company said.