Protection & safety · General financial education

Common scam patterns

Three patterns often return: urgency, secrecy, fake authority. Noticing them is enough to pause. Finmon does not run fear streaks.

In more detail

BaFin describes, among other things, unsolicited contact, time pressure, and impersonation of an authority or bank. Banks and supervisors do not ask you to move money in secret via chat. If you are unsure: use a channel you already have, not the one in the message.

Background

Further recurring elements: a guaranteed high return with no risk, alleged „recovery“ of lost investments, pressure to tell no one. These are warning signs, not a score. Independent reporting runs via police and supervisors. Finmon does not take complaints and sells nothing.

An example

A message: „Transfer now or the account will be closed: tell no one.“ Three flags: urgency, secrecy, fake authority.

A common misconception

An official logo in the message proves the sender is genuine.

Logos are copied. Urgency, secrecy and fake authority are the patterns: regardless of layout.

Source: BaFin · Finanzbetrug erkennen. Version 0.2.0. Finmon explains. It does not advise. Not investment, tax or legal advice.