The National Republican Guard issued an alert about a new fraud method that has been growing in Portugal. The scheme consists of sending fake bank cards to victims' homes, exploiting the trust people place in postal and banking services. When victims try to activate the cards, they discover they have been deceived and lose their money.
Victims are contacted or receive the cards at home, often without having requested any bank card. When they try to activate the card through the channels indicated by the swindlers, they provide sensitive personal and financial information, allowing the theft of data and money.
In addition to immediate financial losses, the GNR warns that this type of scheme can contribute to identity falsification networks. The personal data collected during the process can be used to create fake identities and commit other crimes.
Authorities recommend that citizens be vigilant and never accept or try to activate bank cards that have not been directly requested from their bank. If in doubt, they should contact their banking institution directly through official channels.
