May 16, 2025, 11:15 am | Read time: 2 minutes
More and more people are falling victim to fake bank calls, where scammers pose as employees of well-known banks. The goal is to obtain sensitive data such as push-TANs to carry out transfers.
Recently, reports of fraudulent calls where criminals impersonate bank employees have increased. This scheme, highlighted by the Consumer Center Hamburg, aims to steal sensitive bank data by pretending to curb suspicious account activity. They particularly target the so-called push-TAN, which enables transfers.
Fake Bank Calls and Their Dangers
The Consumer Center Hamburg reports that the perpetrators pose as employees of well-known banks such as Haspa, Solarisbank, Commerzbank, Deutsche Bank, or Postbank. Their approach appears highly professional and convincing, leading many victims to disclose personal information. The danger lies in the potential financial loss from sharing this data.
The scammers often use fake phone numbers that closely resemble those of the banks. In one documented case, the displayed number matched the Haspa hotline except for the last digit. However, banks emphasize that they never call customers unsolicited or ask for personal data. Unlike direct debits, transfers authorized by TAN are generally irreversible.
How to React in Case of Emergency
It is recommended to immediately contact the police if fraud is suspected. In certain cases, the police can identify the payment recipient, giving the victim the opportunity to sue for repayment.
Also interesting: How to Protect Yourself from Transfer Fraud
If you are asked over the phone to provide passwords or push-TANs, you should immediately end the call and contact the affected bank. It is also advised to inform the police. If data has already fallen into the hands of scammers, accounts and online access can be blocked via the central blocking number 116 116. Acting quickly can prevent greater financial damage in an emergency. In general, never disclose sensitive data over the phone.