Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) is a key European regulation (introduced by PSD2) designed to make online payments more secure and reduce fraud. SCA requires you to verify your identity using at least two out of three factors:

By combining these factors, SCA ensures that only the authorised user can approve a transaction, significantly reducing the chances of fraud. Additionally, SCA mandates that every payment is securely linked to the exact amount and the correct recipient. Before confirming a transaction, you will see these details displayed in the authentication window (e.g., in Smart-ID, Mobile-ID, or your bank’s authentication tool), allowing you to verify everything is correct before proceeding. SCA enhances security, prevents fraud, and ensures regulatory compliance, meeting high security standards for online payments within Europe.

If you receive suspicious vishing (phone calls) or smishing (text messages), the best course of action is to IGNORE them. Never respond or interact with the senders or callers.⁴ Remember, legitimate companies will always contact you through official, verifiable channels, not through unsolicited, urgent, or error-ridden communications.⁴ If you are unsure if a call is from your bank, hang up immediately and call the bank using the number published on their official website; never call back the number from which the suspicious call was made.

Be critical of promises of guaranteed returns or high earnings from investment platforms, especially those promising fast and unrealistic earnings without any risk. Fraudsters often use aggressive advertising with fake success stories of famous people or well-known brands/institutions on websites or social media. Ignore these, do not click fake links, and do not leave personal or contact information. Always verify if the company offering the investment is authorised to do so by checking their license or permit from the Bank of Lithuania here. Also, check if the website is listed as an illegal financial services provider here.

Be wary of vague job offers, especially those promising attractive, high-paying positions via private message, social networks, or chat apps, which lack exact task descriptions or experience requirements. Always check publicly available information about the person or company offering the job and assess the risks. Becoming a money mule can lead to being considered an accomplice to a crime and prosecution. If you suspect you've become a money mule, immediately stop any payment transactions instructed by potential criminals and report them to your payment service provider and the police.