Almost all online scams have something in common, regardless of whether they arrive via WhatsApp, email, or social media. The mechanism always starts the same way: someone creates a sense of urgency so you act without thinking.

An alleged problem with your account, a prize that expires in minutes, an offer that is "today only." They don't require sophisticated technology. They just need the person on the other end not to pause and verify.

Download the belo app and check out how to protect your account and your everyday payments.

What are the most common online scams?

Social engineering is the foundation of almost all scam methods. It involves manipulating emotions such as fear, excitement, or trust so that you voluntarily hand over data or money.

According to the 2024 report by the Specialized Cybercrime Fiscal Unit (UFECI), 63% of the reports received were online fraud, and more than half of them involved internet sales and purchases.

The most common methods

• Fake technical support comes as a call or message from someone claiming to be from your bank, digital wallet, or utility company. They tell you about "suspicious activity" and ask for your details, a verification code, or for you to install a remote access app. No legitimate institution will ever ask you for passwords, authentication codes, or remote access to your phone.
  
  The Central Bank has also warned about fake messages and videos using its name, clarifying that it does not offer financial services to the public nor does it request payments or banking details via email, social media, or messaging apps.

• Fake prizes or giveaways arrive via SMS, email, or social media with phrases like "Congratulations, you won a phone!" They ask you to fill out a form with personal information or transfer an amount to "cover shipping costs." If you didn't enter a giveaway, you didn't win anything.

• Investments with guaranteed returns circulate on social media with fake profiles, sometimes using photos of real people or public figures. No legitimate investment can guarantee fixed, risk-free returns.

• A hacked contact's account is among the most effective, because the message comes from someone you know. They ask you for an urgent transfer with excuses like "I can't access my account." Before transferring any money, call that person by phone and don't reply within the same chat, because whoever controls the account can continue the conversation.

Phishing is behind many of these methods: websites or emails that imitate real companies to steal credentials. Check the full address before clicking a link and never enter sensitive information through a link sent to you in a message.

Domains with hyphens and generic words, such as "security-bank-verify," are a sign of forgery.

How to verify before transferring money or handing over a product?

Transfer scams mainly occur in transactions between people who don't know each other. Someone lists a product, the buyer transfers the money and the seller disappears, or vice versa: the seller delivers and the payment receipt turns out to be fake.

Concrete verification steps

• When entering an alias or bank account number (CBU), your app displays the account holder's name. Confirm that it matches the person you're speaking with before accepting.

• For online purchases, choose platforms with buyer protection instead of a direct wire transfer.

• If the other party insists that "it has to be right now," that urgency is the most reliable red flag.

• If you're selling, log in to your app or online banking and verify that the money is reflected in your account before handing over anything. A screenshot of a receipt can be faked; the actual account transaction cannot.

Another useful option is to ask them to first send a nominal amount to confirm that the details match. If they refuse or change the subject, something isn't right.

If you use digital wallets, avoiding scams also means knowing the official channels of each platform.

At belo, customer support is provided by humans 24/7 and is managed directly from the app. Any contact coming from outside that channel, such as a generic email, an Instagram message, or a WhatsApp number, should be treated as suspicious until verified.

What to do if you've already fallen for a scam?

The first few minutes matter. Contact your bank or digital wallet immediately to report it and request that they block or review the transaction.

Not all transfers can be reversed, but acting quickly increases your chances, especially if the money hasn't been withdrawn from the recipient's account yet.

In the meantime, gather all the evidence: screenshots of the full conversation including the contact's profile, receipts, URLs of the sites where you entered information, and any phone number or email involved. You will need them for your claim and for filing a police report.

Where to file a claim and report it

• File a claim with your bank or card issuer and ask for the claim number.

• You can file a report at the nearest police station or prosecutor's office, or with UFECI by emailing denunciasufeci@mpf.gov.ar.

• According to the Central Bank's guidelines, if the institution doesn't respond, you can file a complaint with the BCRA using the case number provided and the response you received.

• If your personal data was stolen or your identity was impersonated, you can also notify the Agency for Access to Public Information.

Reporting makes sense even if the amount was small, because every report adds information to help identify patterns and connected cases. The best defense remains the same: pause before you act. If something creates a sense of urgency, that's your cue to verify through another channel.

Download the belo app and review the terms and conditions that apply to your account.

Frequently asked questions about common online money scams and how to avoid them

How do I know if a message from my bank is real or a scam?

Legitimate banks and digital wallets do not ask for passwords, authentication codes, or remote access to your device. If you receive a message with these requests, it's a red flag. Contact your institution through the official channels on its website or app to confirm whether the outreach was genuine.

What should I do if I already transferred money to a scammer?

Notify your bank or digital wallet immediately, gather screenshots and receipts, and file a report with UFECI or at the police station. Acting within the first few minutes improves the chances of stopping the funds, although there are no guarantees of recovering them.

Are investments with high returns always fraudulent?

Those that promise fixed, risk-free returns are. Fake profiles often use photos of real people to appear credible. Before investing, verify that the company is licensed and authorized, and be wary of anyone rushing you.

Does it make sense to report it if the amount was small?

Yes. Every report, regardless of the amount, helps identify patterns. You can file it at the nearest police station or with UFECI by emailing denunciasufeci@mpf.gov.ar.

How do I verify that a payment receipt is authentic?

Log in directly to your app or online banking and confirm that the funds appear in your account before handing over a product or service. An image of a receipt can be easily forged.