Digitization is making our lives easier - and unfortunately also those of cyber criminals. They use cunning scams to exploit the potential for attacks on the Internet and target private individuals and companies. They target sensitive data and can cause considerable financial damage. Where are the biggest dangers lurking? Raise your awareness - our tips will help you. And if you have been the victim of a scam, don't waste any time and act immediately.
Important Notice:
InCore Bank makes every effort from a regulatory, technical and procedural perspective to protect its customers from abuse. As a pure business-to-business transaction bank, InCore Bank AG maintains its business contacts with financial institutions such as banks and securities firms as well as financial intermediaries such as fintech companies. It performs various tasks on their behalf and does not maintain a direct relationship with end customers. The information compiled here is intended as an initial guide for end customers/private individuals. In case of fraud, please contact your bank or customer advisor directly.
Important terms explained:
Phishing
An attacker pretends (via e-mail, SMS, telephone) to be a false sender and tries to obtain money payments or sensitive data. Never allow yourself to be pressured into rashly clicking on a link, giving personal data, forwarding something or opening an attachment.
Good to know: A bank will never ask for your data by e-mail or SMS, or ask you by phone to carry out a transaction together, or open any web pages via a link. If you receive an email or SMS from InCore Bank and are unsure if it is phishing, please contact us immediately at information(at)incorebank.ch.
Ransomware
A malicious program that infiltrates a computer and with the help of which the attacker denies or restricts your access to personal data and systems. The attacker demands a ransom for decryption.
Spyware
A person's Internet activities are monitored and sensitive data (passwords, financial information, etc.) is intercepted. Spyware collects the information on a PC or network and sends it to the attacker.
Deepfakes
Artificially created fakes of videos, images or voice messages that appear deceptively real.
Malware
A generic term for software whose goal is to infiltrate computers or cell phones without your knowledge and thereby cause damage. Well-known examples of malware are Trojans, viruses, spyware or ransomware.
Trojaner
What looks like a useful application at first glance turns out to be a dangerous program that is abused for criminal purposes. When opening an unknown file attachment or unintentionally downloading manipulated software, the Trojan installs itself on the computer to destroy files, send spam emails or spread malware.
Protect against attacks
Here you will find further links on how to better protect yourself from cyber fraudsters with a focus on digital banking and digital investments. As a general rule, never be pressured. Use trusted sources, check with a healthy dose of suspicion, and keep your devices, software, and passwords up to date.
- Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA)
The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) has, among other things, the mandate to protect investors. A wide range of information can be found on its website:
Protection against investment fraud
Companies with FINMA authorization
finma warning list
Report possible violations of financial market law
- National Center for Cybersecurity (NCSC)
he National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) is the federal government's center of excellence for cybersecurity and the first point of contact for business, government, educational institutions, and the public on cyber issues.
Overview current incidents
Info for private
E-banking malware
Secure e-banking
Meldung eines Vorfalls
- Lucerne University
Interested parties can also find practical information for the secure use of e-banking applications at www.ebankingabersicher.ch. The Lucerne School of Information Technology was commissioned to set up the portal, which is currently supported by over 90 end-customer financial institutions from Switzerland and the Principality of Lichtenstein. - Police
The local police help with education and prevention. Europol also provides information on various forms of fraud.
In case of fraud: do not lose time
First contact your own bank from which the payment was made and the local authorities. They will contact InCore Bank.*
1. Collect information
- Contacting the attacker
- Phone number, e-mail address?
- Time and number of contacts
- Content log of the contacts
- Description of the fraud operation
- Description of environment (call center, etc.)
- Procedure of the perpetrators
- Characterization of the persons
- Details of affected accounts / development of offense amount
2. File a complaint
Contact your bank/contractor and local authorities with the information you have gathered. If you decide to report to the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority or the National Cyber Security Center NSCS, you will additionally support prevention:
*Please note: Since there is no customer relationship between you as an end customer and InCore Bank AG, InCore Bank is not permitted to disclose information about any customer relationships due to bank customer confidentiality. Therefore, first contact your own bank and the local authorities. They will contact InCore Bank. The following information can be sent to us in advance:
- Transaction amount / transaction date
- Currency
- Bank of the ordering party
- Reference number
- Beneficiary name/account number
- Description of the fraud transaction
- Supporting documents (e.g. transaction receipts, confirmation of fraud report to law enforcement agency, police report)
You can find more information in our Q&A.