Criminals are impersonating employees of the Zurich electricity provider EWZ to steal Twint payment account credentials through fraudulent phone calls, according to reports from Netzwoche and BornCity. This activity is part of a wider surge in digital fraud, which has already impacted 24% of the German population, according to BornCity.
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Key Details
- Primary Target: Twint payment account users.
- Impersonated Entities: EWZ (Zurich electricity provider) and UBS.
- Method: Vishing (voice phishing) via telephone.
- Regional Scope: Switzerland and Germany.
How the EWZ Twint Scam Operates
Fraudsters are utilizing “vishing”—a portmanteau of voice and phishing—to target Twint users. According to reports from Netzwoche and BornCity, these individuals pose as EWZ staff to trick victims into revealing sensitive account information. The attackers use the guise of a utility provider to create a sense of urgency or legitimacy, prompting users to hand over credentials that grant access to their digital funds.
UBS Impersonation and Fraudulent Tactics
The EWZ scheme is not an isolated incident of corporate impersonation. According to Blick, scammers have also targeted victims by posing as representatives of UBS. In these instances, criminals use the bank’s name to lure victims into “traps” designed to steal financial assets. One victim documented the boldness of the approach by recording the fraudulent phone call, as reported by the outlet.
The Scale of Digital Fraud in Europe
These targeted Swiss attacks mirror a broader trend of digital insecurity across Europe. BornCity reports that 24% of people in Germany have already fallen victim to digital fraud. This high percentage indicates that social engineering—the psychological manipulation of people into performing actions or divulging confidential information—has become a primary tool for cybercriminals targeting the general public.
