Online scams can arrive through text messages, email, phone calls, social media or fraudulent advertisements. Portugal’s AlertaFraude platform aims to help people recognise warning signs and understand how to respond, with information presented for users without specialist cybersecurity knowledge.
The site brings together dozens of scams affecting individuals, families, businesses and the state. Its catalogue explains how schemes work, what signs to look for and how to reduce the risk of financial loss. Examples include MB WAY scams on buying and selling platforms, fake CTT parcel messages, impersonation of bank employees, requests for money from supposed family members, fraudulent investments and cryptocurrency schemes, fake online shops and phishing messages posing as public bodies, banks or companies.
A section called “Será burla?” lets users answer four questions to check for possible signs of fraud. The platform also provides options to assess links, IBANs and phone numbers. AlertaFraude cautions that these tools are aids rather than guarantees: receiving no warning does not prove that a contact or organisation is legitimate.
For people who have already been scammed, the site outlines steps to take, including blocking compromised accounts or payment methods, preserving evidence and reporting the incident to the relevant authorities. If bank details have been shared or a payment made, it advises contacting the bank immediately through official channels, such as the number printed on the back of a card. The platform also provides information on where to report different types of fraud.
Sources: Pplware.