Spain’s Social Security has warned of a new wave of fraud targeting pensioners and recipients of government benefits. Criminals pose as agency representatives, promising nonexistent financial aid and demanding bank details under the pretext of arranging a transfer.
The scheme uses a combination of several communication channels. First, the potential victim receives a WhatsApp message with information about a ‘due payment’ or a request to confirm details to receive support. Then the scammers follow up via SMS or phone call to create an impression of official business and convince the person that the situation is real.
The initial message usually mentions a new or additional payment related to Social Security. After that, the scammers ask for a bank account number—allegedly to confirm eligibility for assistance or to speed up the transfer. Sometimes, to be more convincing, they use a formal tone and even refer to real support programs.
According to the agency, scammers are actively using not only messengers but also regular phone calls and SMS. This approach allows them to appear as credible as possible and increase the victim’s trust. Pensioners and people who already receive government payments are especially vulnerable.
The main goal of the criminals is to gain access to banking data. With this information, they can not only steal money but also use the credentials for other fraudulent activities. Authorities emphasize: Social Security never requests banking information via WhatsApp, SMS, or phone calls. Any such request is a reason to be wary and to end communication.
The situation is complicated by the fact that the level of online fraud in Spain continues to rise. According to data from the National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE), more than 120,000 incidents were registered last year alone, with a significant portion related to phishing—attempts to obtain personal and financial information under the guise of official organizations.
Experts advise not to respond to suspicious messages and not to share any personal or banking information. Avoid clicking on links from such emails or messages. If information has already been shared, it is recommended to immediately contact your bank and inform the police or Civil Guard.
If in doubt, it is better to contact Social Security directly through official channels to verify whether any checks or payments are actually being processed. This will help avoid financial losses and protect your data.
The rise in such schemes is linked to the overall digitalization of government services and the increasing number of elderly people using smartphones. Fraudsters quickly adapt to new technologies and exploit citizens’ trust in official institutions. Authorities regularly remind the public: any requests to provide banking information outside secure official portals are a sign of fraud.
According to experts, attentiveness and caution when receiving unexpected messages are the main ways to protect yourself from such attacks. If a message raises doubts, it is better to ignore it and consult friends, family, or specialists.

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