What to do if you receive phishing emails and scam texts

So, you received a text message, supposedly from N26, claiming that there’s been suspicious activity on your bank account? Or maybe someone impersonating N26 staff called you to report fraudulent transactions?

Cybercriminals frequently use phishing scams like these to try to access your personal data. In this article, we cover the telltale signs of a phishing attack, so you know what to watch out for. We also clarify what kinds of messages you’ll never receive from us and what to do if you receive scam emails, texts, or phone calls.

In general: Be extra cautious if you receive an email, text message, or phone call from people who claim to work at N26. We never send links via text message, and we’ll never ask for your login data, card number, or PIN over email, text, or the phone. Furthermore, you’ll never receive a call from us without prior notice.

Now, read on to learn more about a couple common types of online fraud and how to avoid phishing attacks. 

If you receive a text message from an unknown number or someone who claims to be an N26 employee, watch out! Fraudsters often pretend that they’ve spotted suspicious transactions on your bank account and ask you to click on a link to verify your identity. The link will lead you to a copycat website that looks very similar to N26’s official one. Then, the fake site prompts you to update your login data—and if you do, scammers get your personal information, which they can use to log in to your real account. Learn more about smishing here.

Scammers may also contact you over the phone, claiming they work at N26 and warning you about suspicious transactions or login problems. Then, they ask you to share your bank details so they can fix the security problem. If successful, this tactic gives them access to your sensitive data and your bank account. We explain how vishing works in more detail in this guide.

Did you receive an email or text message with a suspicious link that claims to come from N26? Don’t click on it! And if you already clicked on the link—does the website look similar to N26’s website and is it prompting you to log in? It’s not too late—just close the browser tab and don’t enter your details.

Did you receive a phone call from someone warning you about suspicious activity on your N26 account? Did they also ask you to confirm these transactions in your N26 app or to share your login information? Hang up immediately! 

Did you receive a link to any website that asks you to confirm your bank account details, PIN, or verification code? At the risk of sounding like a broken record here—don’t enter them! 

Make sure the URL in your browser is the same as the URL of our website or web app. Even if you already glanced at it, double check! The differences between authentic and fraudulent URLs may be minor—sometimes it’s just one letter or character.

Please note: We never forward you to any of our website pages, and we never send communications asking you to enter your login data, card number, or PIN. 

If you’re an N26 customer and suspect that you might be a victim of a phishing attack, contact us right away. In your N26 app, simply open a chat in the Support center to get in touch with our customer support team.