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The popularization of Pix brought with it a revolution in the Brazilian financial system, streamlining and facilitating banking transactions. However, this facility has also attracted scammers, who seek take advantage of less attentive users.
Given this reality, it is essential to know how to act in the event of scams involving Pix and how to request that the money be blocked at the bank to try to recover the lost amounts.
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In this article, we will cover the main steps you can take to protect yourself from these frauds and ensure your money is always safe. Follow along!
Identifying scams and fraud on Pix
Scammers are always looking for new tactics to deceive victims, but in general, some common practices can be observed. They often send malicious messages, emails or links posing as financial institutions or other companies.
Be wary of messages that request personal information, passwords, or ask you to click on unknown links. Pay attention to promotions and prizes that require the use of Pix for payment or that request bank details. Make sure the promotion is real and trustworthy before making any transaction.
Also be wary of unknown people who get in touch asking for money via Pix, even if they present themselves as employees of companies or institutions with which you have some connection.
Scammers often create urgent situations to force victims to act without thinking. If someone is pressuring you to carry out a transaction via Pix quickly, be suspicious and check the legitimacy of the situation.
Preventative measures to avoid scams on Pix
Before carrying out a transaction via Pix, confirm the recipient's identity and check that the data is correct. Remember that transactions made through Pix are instantaneous and often irreversible.
Do not share personal information, passwords and banking details with third parties. Be wary of messages, emails or calls that request this information.
Use strong passwords, keep your devices updated and install reliable antivirus software. Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks to access your bank's app or carry out transactions via Pix.
Do not click on links that are unknown or appear suspicious, even if they appear to come from a trusted source. Scammers may use fake messages to obtain your banking information.
Activate two-factor authentication as this procedure is important and prevents fraud on your smartphone. This also adds a layer extra security and makes it difficult for scammers to access your information.
Check your bank account statement regularly and keep an eye out for suspicious transactions. In case of transactions that you did not authorize, you must contact the bank quickly.
What to do immediately after falling victim to a scam
Immediately inform the financial institution about the fraudulent transaction, requesting that the money be blocked, if still possible. Additionally, ask for guidance on how to proceed and what security measures to take to protect your account.
Go to the nearest police station or register the BO online, if available in your location. The report is essential to prove the occurrence of the scam and may be necessary to continue the process of recovering the money.
Depending on the type of scam, also inform other competent bodies, such as Procon, the Federal Revenue Service or the Federal Police, about the fraud. Keep all information, such as conversations, emails, proof of transactions and records that can help prove fraud and assist in the investigation.
Change passwords and activate two-factor authentication, if you haven't already. Check with your bank to see if any other security measures need to be taken, such as temporarily blocking your account or replacing cards.
Pay attention to your bank statement and possible suspicious transactions after the scam. If you notice any strange activity, inform your bank immediately.
How to request the blocking of money at the bank
Contact the financial institution responsible for your account as soon as you notice fraud. This can be done via the app, telephone, customer service chat or in person at a branch. Report what happened and request the blocking of the money sent.
Provide the bank with all necessary information about the fraudulent transaction, such as the amount, date, time and recipient details. The more details you provide, the greater the chance of success in blocking and recovering the money.
The bank will check the situation and will attempt to lock the values. Stay tuned for updates and feedback from the financial institution. They may request additional information or provide instructions specific to your case.
In addition to contacting the bank, file a Police Report reporting the scam. This document may be necessary in the process of recovering the amounts and serves as proof of fraud.
The bank's responsibility in relation to these scams
Banks are responsible for ensuring that their systems and applications are secure and comply with standards established by the Central Bank and other regulatory authorities.
Financial institutions must implement verification and authentication mechanisms, such as two-factor authentication, to ensure transaction security and prevent unauthorized access to customer accounts.
However, it is worth highlighting that the responsibility of banks in relation to the recovery of money lost to scams on Pix is not absolute, and the recovery of values depends on a series of factors, such as the customer's reaction time and the possibility of tracking and blocking the transferred resources.
Therefore, it is essential that customers also adopt preventive measures and pay attention to their transactions to avoid scams and minimize losses.
