In recent days, the state-owned corporations CIMEX and FINCIMEX S.A. have issued warnings to the Cuban public about electronic scams that impersonate these companies' identities.
Globally recognized as phishing, this fraudulent activity involves cybercriminals sending emails that appear to be from legitimate entities, deceiving unsuspecting users.
These scammers operate through "unofficial websites and personal profiles on digital platforms, exploiting the corporate identity of both companies," according to reports.
"Recently, institutional profiles have been alerting customers about potential fraudulent activities concerning the marketing of products," the notification states.
Attractive offers on these 'sites' have lured consumers into making purchases through balance transfers. By doing so, account holders have inadvertently shared banking and personal information crucial for securing legitimate transactions, thus enabling fraudsters to impersonate customers and access their funds," warns CIMEX.
For this reason, Fincimex's Risk and Fraud Prevention Specialist, Lic. Ynaid Amor, advises customers to refrain from sharing "identity card information, card numbers, and purchase receipt details, as these are the keys that safeguard customer accounts."
"Such information should not be shared with strangers," she cautioned.
"Upon receiving messages or emails requesting personal or financial information, customers should verify that the source is reliable and use only recognized and secure payment platforms. Any suspicious behavior should be immediately reported to the relevant authorities: report to the PNR and notify the Fincimex entity in each territory," she explained.
Meanwhile, Esteban Martin Gonzalez, Director of Sales at CIMEX, emphasized, "All promotions, price reductions, or other purchase incentives are conducted in-person at commercial establishments, without requiring payment or prior data submission."
FAQs on Phishing Scams in Cuba
What is phishing and how does it affect Cubans?
Phishing is a type of cyber scam where criminals send emails that look like they come from legitimate sources to trick users into providing personal information. In Cuba, this scam targets people by mimicking companies like CIMEX and FINCIMEX.
How can Cubans protect themselves from phishing scams?
Cubans should verify the source of emails requesting personal or financial information, use only trusted payment platforms, and report suspicious activities to authorities like the PNR and Fincimex.