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Protection against fraud

The Internet is the lifeblood of digital communication, but it is also a platform for fraud and other criminal activities. Viseca tells you the dangers you face and how you can protect yourself.

Phishing e-mails

Organised scammers regularly send phishing e-mails to gain unauthorised access to your card details. You will be notified, for example, that your access details or account information are no longer secure. You will then be asked to confirm your data by clicking on a link or filling in an attached form. E-mails like this are usually attempts to commit fraud.

How to protect yourself from attempted fraud

  • Do not respond to any e-mail that seems suspicious to you.
  • Do not open any attachments or click on any links from unfamiliar senders.
  • Secure access to your router with a unique password. Encryption provides additional protection. The most secure method is Wi-Fi Protected Access (at least WPA2 or WPA3).
  • Always type the URL www.viseca.ch directly into your browser. Our pages are encrypted and bear a Viseca certificate. The “https” at the beginning of the URL and the padlock in the browser address bar indicate that a webpage is encrypted.
  • Check your card statements carefully. If you have divulged your card details, please contact us immediately to block your credit card: +41 58 958 83 83 (24-hour service). You will not be charged a card replacement fee.
  • Please forward suspicious e-mails to internetsecurity@viseca.ch.

Phrases often used in phishing e-mails

  • Your account or your credit card has been blocked
  • Update your details
  • We have detected unusual activity on your credit card
  • Check your transaction
  • Your credit card has been suspended
  • Activate 3-D Secure

Other kinds of attempted fraud

Read about the following scam tactics carefully. Be wary of suspicious calls or messages. If you have any doubts, you can contact Viseca at internetsecurity@viseca.ch.

Phishing via QR code, or “quishing”, is happening more and more. Just like with phishing, you are lured via a QR code to a website with fake urgency (e.g. account blocked) to enter sensitive data there. So, be sceptical of any QR code and check the link carefully via the preview. Viseca will never send you a QR code to unblock your account. We are also aware of a number of cases involving small advertisement portals such as Tutti, Ricardo and Facebook Marketplace. There are not only fake ads, but also supposed buyers wishing to process payments via a QR code. Be sceptical of any QR code and check the link carefully via the preview. Viseca will never send you a QR code to unblock your account.

Attempts at fraud involving automated phone calls supposedly from the police are on the increase. You are presented with an urgent problem that requires your immediate attention. It is best to ignore the call and hang up. Genuine police officers never ask for money, valuables or sensitive data by phone. With AI-generated voice cloning, a familiar voice can be imitated and an emergency situation simulated. Don’t be pushed into doing anything and end the conversation. If you are unsure, call the person who is supposedly in distress directly on the number you know.

You may at some point have received an e-mail from someone you know who is in urgent need of your (usually financial) help. It is essential that you call them to check whether the e-mail really is from this person and it is not an attempt to commit fraud. Requests for money transfers or card details to settle hotel bills are suspicious.

Fraudulent phishing SMS messages are designed to steal credit card information via a link to a phishing website. Do not click on the link, and delete these messages.

Viseca never sends SMS messages that ask you to confirm or enter personal data and credit card details.

It is likely that at some point scammers will call you to try to obtain your credit card information. They may claim, for example, that they work for a software company and that they have detected a virus on your PC. To “solve” the problem, you will be asked to provide your credit card information and to install a ridiculously expensive program that will repair the damage.
The National Cyber Security Centre (MELANI) warns about such calls. As Microsoft never makes unannounced or unsolicited support calls, the callers are probably scammers whose sole objective is to manipulate the PCs concerned or to infect them with malware.

Checklist for what to do if you receive a fake support call
1. Neither Microsoft nor any other software or computer company makes unannounced or unsolicited support calls to report computer issues. End these calls immediately.
2. Do not call numbers that suddenly appear as a pop-up on your screen.
3. Never allow anyone who has called you to access your computer. If you have granted access, disconnect the device from the Internet as quickly as possible. Remove the installed software immediately (consult an expert, if necessary).
4. Never disclose your credit card information to someone who has called you.
5. Never give anyone SMS codes for payments or confirm payments via your app that you have not yourself authorised (or not authorised for that amount).
6. If you have divulged sensitive data, please contact our cancellation centre immediately to block the card in question.
7. If you have also disclosed your VisecaOne access data, please mention this to our staff.

“Scareware” is software that is intended to unsettle or scare you. Usually, an offer is put to you to solve (often non-existent) computer problems for a fee. Or you may be tricked into changing settings on your computer or using a link that causes damage to your computer, which of course can only be “repaired” again for a fee.

The term “malware” refers to a whole range of malicious software – from viruses to Trojans and worms. Once malware has embedded itself on your computer, it is very difficult, or even impossible, to remove it completely.

Install anti-virus software or a security suite to protect against malware. Make sure that this software is from a reputable provider.
Data is exchanged when you browse the Internet or use a wireless network. This carries the risk that hackers may log into the network. If the protection is not sufficient, they may use the Internet connection for illegal activities or even spy on data on your computer.