Phishing at DKB: Fraudsters threaten to block your account

Money & Shopping

Even though many consumers still have their current account at the local city savings bank from home, the trend is moving towards internet banks without physical branches. Lower account management fees and easy handling of the corresponding online offers are a big advantage for many.

However, one problem that all banks face in the 21st century is cybercrime. The large internet banks in particular are repeatedly targeted in Germany.

The consumer advice center is currently warning DKB customers in particular about a phishing attack that is finding its way into many mailboxes under the bank’s name.

Consumer protection warns of phishing attack on DKB

With the subject “Customer information, your DKB account has been blocked,” hackers are trying to worry customers of the bank in question and get them to enter sensitive data. A supposed identification number is also mentioned in the email subject, which is intended to give the email a seriousness.

The attached message then explains an alleged account blocking, which would take place “at regular intervals” for security reasons. This should therefore serve to protect against unauthorized account use. The prevention of “money laundering” is also mentioned here.

Hackers are currently using DKB customers as phishing targetsImage: screenshot / consumer advice center

According to the email, the permanent update is necessary in order to continue to ensure proper account use. The fraudsters threaten to permanently block the bank account.

In order to avoid the corresponding consequences for their own account, consumers are again asked in the current phishing email to update their personal accounts immediately. A corresponding button will be added to the email for this purpose.

DKB customers can recognize phishing with a simple trick

As usual, consumer protection warns about the benefits of the corresponding forwarding. Just moving the mouse pointer over the button reveals, as in the vast majority of cases, that there is no real DKB link behind it.

Spelling errors in the greeting can also easily reveal fraud. Most phishing emails are case-insensitive.

The wording about alleged “money laundering” in one’s own DKB account should also make consumers suspicious. Banks generally do not issue such warnings to private customers.

According to the experts, another indication of a phishing attack is the dubious sender address, which cannot be linked to the DKB’s regular online presence. However, if in doubt, consumers can contact the DKB’s actual customer service.

Banks in particular are repeatedly targeted by hackers. DKB is considered the second largest direct bank in Germany behind ING Diba. According to its own information, in 2023 the credit institution listed around 4.4 million private checking accounts.

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