Experts warn: Do not click on SMS messages sent regarding retiree bonuses

As Ramadan Feast bonuses begin to be paid out to retirees, there has been an increase in cyber fraud cases. Many citizens have encountered SMS messages sent using the name of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security that begin with the phrase "Your holiday bonus has been defined." If the digital links contained in the message are clicked, the users' phones are compromised, and their personal information and bank accounts are seized.

"THESE SMS MESSAGES ARE FAKE"

The Ministry of Labor and Social Security announced that it has no connection to the messages in question. In a written statement, it was stated, "These SMS messages were not sent by our ministry. Citizens are not being notified about holiday bonuses via SMS." The Ministry urged citizens to be cautious against such messages.

Forensic Informatics Expert Prof. Dr. Ali Murat Kırık stated that this method, carried out through fake messages, is a classic phishing attack. Kırık said, "When citizens click on the link in the SMS, spyware is downloaded to their devices, or they are redirected to fake e-Government and bank websites. When a Turkish ID number and password are entered there, all data falls into the hands of the scammers."

BANKS ARE ALSO BEING IMITATED

Stating that scammers create fake copies of the banks where retirees receive their pensions, Kırık warned, "Citizens are asked for credit card information, bank card information, and passwords. When this information is entered, accounts are emptied, and the scammers cover their tracks."

"NEVER CLICK ON THE LINK"

Reminding that no bank or government institution sends SMS messages containing links to make payments to citizens, Kırık said, "These messages should not be taken into account, and the links within them should absolutely not be clicked. If our citizens have been victimized, they should take a screenshot of the message and file a criminal complaint with the Public Prosecutor's Office, attaching the example."