Spot scams and browse in peace with N26

According to a research by N26, over 90% of Italians believe they’re well informed about online scams, and over 31% of these see themselves as experts on the subject. However, according to data from Banca d'Italia (Bank of Italy) and Polizia Postale (Postal Police), online fraud of all kinds increased during 2021. Which generation is most at risk of online scams? Despite what you may have heard, according to our research, it’s digital natives between 20 and 34 years old who are most likely to fall prey to online scams. From phishing attacks to fake-shop purchases, scammers are constantly finding new modes and methods to defraud their victims. That’s why it’s so important to have the tools to recognize and avoid them.

How safe are you?

  • In 2021 alone, over 18,000 cases of credential theft were registered, with the goal of gaining access to home banking systems, credit card numbers, and private cryptocurrency keys (Source: Polizia Postale).
  • Over 39% of the complaints received by the Bank of Italy in 2021 concerned cases of smishing 39.2%, followed by vishing at 23% (Source: Banca d'Italia).

The most common online scams in Italy

Watch out for these scams!

Phishing

Don’t get “hooked”

A method used to deceive victims into handing over sensitive information. According to the N26 survey, this is the most common of all digital scams, at a rate of 54.8%.
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Romance Scam

The Tinder swindler

One of the most painful types of scam, these fraudsters rev up the sentimental stuff, leaving plenty of chaos—both emotional and financial—in their wake.
Read more

Social Engineering

Stranger danger

Manipulation techniques designed to build trust. According to our data, more than one in two Italians have no clue about this term or the practice itself.
Read more

Truffe Social

Cr33py liked your post

With 4.3 billion total users and a young audience, Facebook and Instagram have several vulnerable spots when it comes to security.
Read more

Recognize it, avoid it: Scam tip-offs to look out for

Hurry up!

If for any reason you’re asked to act quickly, stop for a second and check if there’s actually something wrong. Cybercriminals often use time-constrained alerts and alarming messages—for example, "Warning!"—to disrupt our normal decision-making process. Remember: Legitimate companies will never push their customers to do something on the spot.

Strange URLs and unsafe websites

Before clicking on a link, always check the URL of the website by moving the cursor over the link to view its destination. Sometimes, even legitimate URLs are used for fraudulent purposes, so always check for letters that look suspicious. In general, be wary of redirected websites and check for a padlock symbol, which indicates a site's credentials and a secure connection.

L1ttl3 Err0rz

Check the first sentence of any communication you receive. If the greeting feels too general (such as “Dear Sir/Madam”) or if you spot obvious spelling and formatting errors, watch out! These are signs of a potential phishing attempt.

Information requests

Be especially careful whenever you’re asked to provide any personal information. Always remember that N26 will never ask you to share sensitive data except in the app or with other security measures in place.

How to avoid scammers in six simple steps

Don’t forget the updates

Always update your N26 app and operating system, allowing your geolocation to identify irregular transactions.

Only browse secure sites

Beware of offers that are "too good to be true." Only make purchases on secure websites by checking for the padlock next to the URL in your browser.

Protect your email account

Choose email services with security filters and two-factor authentication.

Create strong passwords

Create innovative passwords, and never use the same one for multiple accounts.

Watch what you share

Avoid posting sensitive personal information online and use biometric authentication for your accounts when available.

Be wary of WiFi!

When using a public WiFi network, always be vigilant and choose secure WPA2 connections.

Security at N26

    You must meet the following requirements to open an N26 Standard free bank account:
    • Be over the age of 18
    • Live in an eligible country
    • Have your own smartphone
    • Not yet have an online account with N26
    • Have a valid ID
    Find more information about opening an account here.

    N26 has been granted a full German banking license from BaFin. By law, each customer’s funds are protected up to €100,000 by the German Deposit Protection Scheme. With 3D Secure, Mastercard Identity Check, and fingerprint and face recognition, the security of our customer's online payments is always guaranteed.

    Yes, as of March 26, 2020 all N26 accounts opened in Italy come with an Italian IBAN. Alongside being able to have your salary credited to your account, your N26 account’s Italian IBAN lets you manage your subscription, your utilities and all your expenses from one simple app. Open your N26 account now and discover all the advantages of the Italian IBAN right away.

    Alongside your bank account’s advanced security features, you can take further steps to increase your online banking security. Never write down your passwords or PIN, only log into your account from a device you trust, and only via a secure WiFi connection. Additionally, to protect yourself from online fraud, avoid clicking on links in emails or text messages that seem suspicious. For more information on how to spot fraudulent behavior—and maintain your online banking security—take a look at our Security guide.

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