Fraudsters exploiting electronic signatures uncovered in Latvia
In a recent development, users have been urged to exercise caution when accessing the eParaksts portal due to ongoing attempts by scammers to create fake websites and phish sensitive information.
The legitimate portal address is https://www.eparaksts.lv/lv/. It is essential to verify this URL carefully before entering any personal data to avoid falling victim to these fraudulent activities.
The Latvian State Radio and Television Centre (LVRTC), the provider of the eParaksts portal, has highlighted this threat, emphasising the importance of verifying URLs and avoiding potential phishing links shown in search results.
Scammers are exploiting search engines like Google to redirect users to fake websites resembling eparaksts.lv. These impostor websites are designed to trick users into providing personal information or credentials.
This tactic is achieved through search engine manipulation, potentially using techniques like search engine optimization (SEO) exploitation, paid ads, or creating deceptive URLs that appear in Google search results. When users click these links, they land on visually identical but fraudulent sites instead of the legitimate portal.
The LVRTC has informed Cert.lv and the State Police about these fraud attempts. If you suspect fraud, you should also report it to the National Police. The email address to report fraud to the LVRTC is [email protected].
It's not uncommon for scammers to create visually similar fake websites to the legitimate eparaksts.lv portal. If you find yourself on such a site, immediately cease any activity and report it to the third party involved – your bank or a similar institution.
In case of fraud, users should immediately change their PINs and preferably their user numbers. The phone number to contact the Latvian State Radio and Television Centre (LVRTC) about fraud is 67108787.
Fraudsters are also using domain names with extensions that mimic 'eparaksts.lv'. Be vigilant and ensure you access only the official portal URL, https://www.eparaksts.lv/lv/.
Stay safe online and always verify the authenticity of the websites you visit, especially when dealing with sensitive information.
- The latest advisory from the Latvian State Radio and Television Centre (LVRTC) urges everyone to be cautious when using search engines like Google, as scammers often manipulate search results to direct users to fake websites resembling eparaksts.lv, exploiting techniques such as search engine optimization (SEO) or paid ads.
- In light of the growing threat of cybercrime, it's crucial to recognize that media outlets like radio, television, and online news platforms frequently cover general-news stories involving crime and justice, including stories about scams and phishing attempts aimed at users of the eParaksts portal.
- As threat actors continue to develop sophisticated tactics to evade cybersecurity measures, it's essential to stay informed about ongoing attempts to phish sensitive information through fraudulent websites. This awareness can be gained by regularly checking trusted sources for news, such as reputable media outlets and technology blogs.
