A few common frauds

What to look out for and how to protect yourself
Man med laptop i kontor

Visit the page regularly to see current frauds

Important information

Find out how to avoid being scammed and what to look out for.

  • We will never contact you and prompt you to log in, ask you for BankID or to enter codes over the phone 
  • Never give up verification codes from your card reader over the phone, SMS, chat or mail
  • Logging in must always be on your own initiative

Block your code

If you suspect that someone has gained access to your code, card number or other important information you must block it.

Call personlig service

In Sweden: 020-41 12 12
Other countries: +46 8 41 12 122

Open 24h every day.


Fraud related to the pandemic

Fraudsters claim to represent the health care authorities, for example, and inform people that they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for covid-19. They are then asked to verify their identity by using their card reader and/or Mobile BankID.

Neither Handelsbanken, nor any other public authority, will ever ask you to verify your identity using Mobile BankID or a card reader.

Another tactic used by fraudsters is to offer investment opportunities in medicines or vaccines. These may relate to medical equipment or investments in mutual funds, shares, insurance, or in companies operating in these industries.

Remember: 

  • Never use your BankID or card reader at the request of someone else. Always ask to call back via the switchboard if you are contacted by a public authority or a bank.
  • Never give out cards or codes to people who are offering to help with shopping, for example.

  • If an offer sounds too good to be true – it is too good to be true.


Fraud against the elderly and the disabled

Frauds often target the weak, elderly and disabled in society. Many in this group do not have access to the internet and therefore cannot access information. Therefore, it is important to inform their relatives in these groups about what they should be careful about and pay attention to.


Investment frauds

Investment fraud is becoming increasingly common, and is often long-term. Usually, the fraud involves tricking an investor out of money on repeated occasions. It may be done in the following way: 

  • The fraud often starts with an evening phone call from an English-speaking advisor who wants to tell you about profitable investments. The advisor is keen to send you a brochure about the brokerage firm. After this, more contacts follow. Once confidence has been established, you receive an offer about a very attractive investment.

  • However, when you want to sell, the “conditions” are rarely right. Often, you are persuaded to invest more money to lower the average price. You may also receive a call from another broker that wants to buy your shares, but in order to sell them, you have to pay a number of fake fees in advance.

  • The last phase involves you being phoned by a lawyer who claims to represent several other parties who have also been tricked. In return for paying further advance fees, you can get help to sue the brokerage firm.

The fraudulent companies often have professional-looking websites and names which closely resemble those of well-known firms. The companies often refer to fictitious public authorities and the websites of these authorities, for which they themselves are responsible.

Avoid getting scammed

  • If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.
  • Make sure that you understand the investment.
  • Serious companies rarely phone in the evening to propose investment offers.
  • Never give away credit card information over the phone.
  • Check whether the company is included on the warning list from the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority.

Secure Swish

en mobil med swish

There are currently frauds aimed at Swish users. You may get a phone call where the caller claims they suspect you have been the target for a fraud. You are then asked to log in to the Online Banking. The aim is to raise the allowed amount of money you can transfer. Then you are asked to log into your Swish app in order to stop a transaction. this is here you are being scammed. 

The bank will never call you and ask you to identify yourself with BankID or to start your Swish app. When you use the Swish app it must always be on your own initiative. Always keep in mind that the amount field is intended for amount only and that the transaction is made in real time.