“Beware of scam SMS messages about fines and unpaid debts,” Police appeal to citizens: Do not click them…

The State Police has issued an appeal to citizens following numerous reports of fraudulent messages falsely claiming the existence of unpaid fines or administrative debts.

According to the official statement, many citizens today reported receiving SMS messages requesting payment for alleged administrative penalties. After receiving these reports, Cybercrime Investigation units immediately began verification and investigations to identify the perpetrators.

Police explain that this is a scam scheme known as “smishing,” where citizens receive messages claiming they have traffic fines, financial obligations, or pending administrative procedures. These messages contain links that redirect users to fake websites designed to resemble official state institutions.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the perpetrators’ goal is to obtain citizens’ personal and banking data, which can later be used for unauthorized transactions and the theft of funds from bank accounts.

Police emphasize that receiving an SMS alone does not pose a risk to bank funds. The risk arises when a citizen clicks the fraudulent link and enters banking card details, online banking credentials, or security codes sent by the bank.

Authorities urge citizens not to click suspicious links, not to share personal or financial data on unverified websites, and never to share security or authentication codes with anyone.

The police advise that any such message should be verified only through official institutional channels. If a citizen has entered banking details on a suspicious website, they should immediately contact their bank and notify the authorities.

The State Police states that monitoring and investigation of this criminal activity is ongoing, while the fight against cybercrime and the protection of citizens in the digital space remain among its top priorities.

“KORÇA BOOM”