Andorra Warns of Social Security Scam Targeting Elderly
Andorra's cybersecurity agency alerts pensioners to fake letters impersonating Spain's Social Security, promising pension hikes in exchange for DNI.
Key Points
- Scammers send fake letters claiming a cyber attack erased data, offering €75-€150 pension increase.
- Victims asked to email DNI photos and bank info to personal domains like Gmail or Hotmail.
- Official bodies never request DNI via email or use private accounts.
- Authorities urge deleting letters and verifying via official channels only.
Andorra's National Cybersecurity Agency has warned of a new scam targeting elderly people, particularly pensioners, by impersonating Spain's Social Security administration to steal personal and banking data.
The fraud involves fake letters claiming to come from the Spanish agency, which could also affect Andorrans with ties to the Spanish social security system. Scammers notify recipients of a supposed "cyber attack" that has erased their details, promising a pension increase of between €75 and €150 in exchange for resubmitting information.
Victims are instructed to email copies of their DNI identity cards and bank details to verify the raise. The agency highlighted that these emails use personal domains such as @gmail.com, @hotmail.com, or @outlook.es—clear red flags, as official bodies never request DNI photos via email or post, nor use private accounts.
Authorities urged people not to respond, to delete the letters immediately, and to check any concerns through official channels only. They also called on the public to alert vulnerable groups, including parents, grandparents, or elderly neighbours, to prevent them falling victim.
The scam exploits trust in the Social Security institution, preying on older individuals who may be less familiar with digital security cues.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources: