Scammers get busy when companies go on holiday

The season of summer holidays and stand-in employees is a peak time for fraudsters targeting companies’ payment transfers.

We strongly advise our corporate customers to train employees (particularly temporary summer employees) carefully in matters such as payment confirmation processes, and to update staff proactively on current scams.
 
A typical scam is an email message, supposedly from the company’s management, requesting an urgent payment. Another is a request, apparently from an employee, to change a salary payment account. Phishing attempts targeting user IDs are also common. 

 

Fraud checklist:

  • Agree in advance on your company’s payment approval processes for different situations and recap them on a regular basis. Provide summer stand-ins with orientation and make sure that they are aware of potential phishing attempts.
  • Pay special attention to changed account numbers: verify them and agree on principles for changing account numbers in systems.
  • If you receive a suspicious message, verify its authenticity with the sender by phone or face-to-face.
  • Report each case of fraud or attempted fraud to your payment services manager at the bank or by calling Customer Service on 0100 05151 (8.00 to 16.00 on weekdays).
  • File an investigation request with the police.
  • Forward any phishing email messages you have received to tietoturvailmoitukset@op.fi.
  • Visit the National Cyber Security Centre website for further information and practical advice on preventing losses due to fraud.

 

  • The Policy University College’s website provides a recently drawn up guide on how to report cybercrime to the police.