How to protect yourself from malicious surveys

Recently, creating a completely secure online space has been disrupted by malicious attacks through fake surveys on unsafe websites. These scams aim to unlawfully collect your personal information and credentials, allowing unauthorized individuals to access your bank accounts and carry out transactions without your knowledge or approval.

Here’s how you can protect yourself from this type of online fraud:

  • Avoid unknown surveys: Never fill out surveys from unfamiliar sources or those that seem suspicious.
  • Always verify the authenticity of a survey: If a survey uses a company’s name and logo, always check its authenticity on the official website or through verified social media profiles.
  • Don’t share personal information: Never share passwords, PIN codes, or other sensitive information through surveys. If such data is requested, stop filling out the survey immediately. Also, never save login credentials in your browser.
  • Don’t share one-time passwords: If you didn’t initiate a payment yourself, don’t share the one-time password sent to your phone. This is a clear sign of a potential fraud attempt, as someone might be trying to make a transaction from your account or install an app on their device to gain access to all your information.
  • Check the URL: Before entering any information, check the URL of the site the survey is directing you to. Fake sites often have similar, but not identical, addresses to official company websites whose names and logos they exploit.
  • Be skeptical of promised rewards: Malicious surveys often promise cash prizes or gifts of various values. If an offer seems too good to be true, it’s likely a scam.
  • Use antivirus software: Install and regularly update antivirus software on all your devices. This software helps recognize and block malicious websites and surveys.
  • Regularly check your accounts: Frequently monitor the status of your bank accounts and report any suspicious activity to the Bank. Quick action can prevent greater damage.
  • Pay attention to spelling and grammar: Fake surveys often contain spelling and grammatical errors.
  • Contact the Bank: If you have any doubts about a received survey, contact the Bank directly through official communication channels.