Online safety and suspected fraud

Verify requests independently and act quickly if money or access details are exposed.

Pause before following a request

Unexpected messages about parcels, benefits, residence documents or bank security may imitate real institutions. Do not trust a familiar logo, caller name or urgent deadline alone. Open the official website or app yourself and verify contact details independently. Do not use the suspicious message’s link or number to confirm whether that same message is genuine.

Protect identity and payments

Do not send passwords, login or payment codes, card security details or identity scans to an unknown person. Read the operation shown before authorising a payment; a code may approve money leaving your account. Do not install remote-control software at a caller’s request. Offers to guarantee a permit, benefit or investment return in exchange for urgent payment require independent verification.

If you have already acted

Contact your bank immediately through a known official channel if payment or account access may be compromised, and explain what happened. Ask about blocking access or payment instruments and available transaction steps; recovery is not guaranteed. Secure affected accounts from a trusted device, change exposed credentials and follow provider guidance. Preserve messages, receipts and transaction details without continuing contact with the suspected scammer.

Report using official channels

Suspicious SMS messages can be forwarded to 8080 in Poland; websites and other incidents can be reported through CERT Polska’s official incident form. If you suspect a crime, report it to police or the prosecutor and retain the reference. A CERT report does not replace a criminal report or a bank complaint. Share evidence through the appropriate channel and avoid posting sensitive records publicly.

Editorial summary checked against official sources: 2026-10-26

• Report suspected crime to police or the prosecutor
• Recognising phishing and reporting to CERT Polska