Holiday bonus scammers are at it again!

Holiday bonuses paid to pensioners have once again become the focus of cyberattacks through new methods developed by scammers. Following the announcement of the 2026 holiday bonus schedule, unidentified individuals have begun sending fake text messages to citizens claiming there is a "bonus difference" to be collected.

These messages often attempt to deceive pensioners with phrases such as "An additional 3,000 TL raise has been added; click the e-Government link to claim the difference." Citizens who share their identity and bank information on websites that open after clicking these fake links fall into the scammers' trap and face the risk of losing all the money in their accounts.

Scammers do not stop at emptying bank balances with the information they obtain; they sometimes increase the financial damage further by taking out loans in the victims' names. The stolen funds are transferred to various accounts that are nearly impossible to track.

Cybersecurity experts are issuing important warnings against the rising number of cases. Experts urge citizens to be cautious of fake links, stating, "No official institution will request a password or a link via SMS. Pension bonuses are deposited automatically, and no application is required. Clicking on such links is like handing the keys to your home to someone else."

Authorities also emphasize that if any suspicious message or link is encountered, it should absolutely not be clicked. It is recommended that official transactions be conducted only through the state's own platforms and verified applications. It is reiterated that sharing passwords or personal information over the phone with individuals claiming to be officials is extremely dangerous.

While it is stated that citizens must be vigilant and always question the source of incoming messages, a warning is issued that fraud methods are becoming increasingly diverse and that pensioners, in particular, continue to be targeted.

News Source: 12punto