Typical scams and how to defend against them
Knowing the Polish language can be a challenge at first, and scammers know this very well. That’s why you must be especially careful when you receive unexpected requests or messages, especially those that require a quick response.
Remember – you get the money for the sale in your account, you don’t have to give any data to collect it!
BLIK scams
BLIK is a secure system, but scammers are trying to take advantage of people’s ignorance and trust. They most often operate on ad sites and social media.
Typical BLIK fraud scenarios:
- The “buyer” scam: You sell something on OLX, Vinted, or Facebook Marketplace. A “buyer” writes to you and claims to have already paid for your item. He or she sends you a link that looks like an OLX or courier company (e.g., InPost) website and asks you to click/click on the link and “confirm/confirm” the transfer. On this fake site, they ask you to enter your bank card information to “collect the money”. This is a trap! This is how scammers steal your card details and money from your account.
- The “friend” scam: A scammer takes over your friend’s Facebook, Messenger or WhatsApp account. He writes to you that he needs money urgently and asks you to enter your BLIK code so that you can “send” him money or “receive” a transfer for him. This is a bogus request! If you hand over the code, the scammer will immediately use it at an ATM or store, and you will lose money.
How to guard against BLIK scams?
- Never, ever give your BLIK code to anyone who asks for it. A BLIK code is like cash – don’t give it to a stranger.
- Always verify requests for money. If a friend asks for a transfer, call him and make sure it’s actually him.
- Watch out for links in the news! Official sites (like OLX) never ask for card details to receive a transfer.