Scammers are always finding new ways to try and trick you into giving them money or sensitive information. Staying aware of their tactics is the best defence against fraud. This guide will help you recognise the warning signs of a scam and give you simple rules to protect your business.
The most effective scams often play on human emotions. They try to make you feel panicked, curious, or rushed. By learning to spot these red flags, you can stay one step ahead.
Common red flags to watch for
- A sense of urgency or threats: Scammers will often tell you that your account is at risk or that you will face a fine if you don't act immediately. They do this to make you panic and prevent you from thinking clearly.
- Unexpected contact or requests: Be suspicious of any unexpected message asking you to click a link, download an attachment, or make a payment, even if it seems to come from a person or company you know.
- An offer that is too good to be true: Scammers may promise you a large tax refund, a prize, or an unbelievable deal on a product. Remember the old rule: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Generic or unusual greetings: Legitimate emails from Mollie will address you by name. Be cautious of messages that start with a generic greeting like "Dear Customer" or use an unusual tone.
Key types of scams to know
Scammers use different methods to contact you. Here are the most common ones:
- Phishing (Email Scams): These are fraudulent emails designed to look like they come from a legitimate company, like Mollie, your bank, or a supplier. They will try to get you to click a malicious link or enter your login details on a fake website. Always check the sender's email address for misspellings.
- Smishing (SMS/Text Scams): Similar to phishing, but a scammer will send you a text message. This message will often contain a link and ask you to take urgent action, such as authorising a payment or securing your account.
- Vishing (Voice/Phone Scams): This is when a scammer calls you and pretends to be someone they are not, such as a Mollie support agent, a police officer, or someone from your bank's fraud department. Their goal is to gain your trust and convince you to transfer money or give them access to your account.
Simple rules to stay safe
- Do stop and think. If a message feels strange or rushed, take a moment to pause before taking any action.
- Don't click on links or download attachments from unexpected emails or text messages.
- Do verify requests independently. If you receive a suspicious message from a supplier asking for payment, call them on a phone number you know to be correct to confirm the request is real.
- Don't ever feel pressured to act immediately. A legitimate organisation will not threaten you or force you into making a split-second decision about your money.
Good to know
Always access your Mollie Dashboard by typing my.mollie.com directly into your browser or by using the official Mollie app from the app store. Avoid using search engines or clicking links in emails to log in to your account.
By staying vigilant and questioning any unexpected communication, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to a scam. If you are ever unsure about a message that mentions Mollie, please contact our support team.
If you think you may have been scammed, it's important to act quickly. Read our article on What should I do if I suspect fraud on my account? for immediate steps.
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