Protect Yourself from Identity Theft with Spain’s PhishingAlert Service

The Spanish government has launched a security service called PhishingAlert to help citizens protect themselves from identity theft. This service alerts you if your personal information is used to register with online gambling sites, preventing fraudsters from using stolen data for illicit purposes.

What is PhishingAlert?

PhishingAlert, launched in 2023 by the General Directorate of Gambling Regulation (DGOJ), is an identity theft alert system. It’s designed to warn you if someone attempts to defraud you through online gambling platforms.

Cybercriminals often use phishing scams to steal personal and financial data. They might also obtain your information through data breaches. With this stolen data, they can register on gambling sites using your name, potentially draining your bank account or using your identity for other fraudulent activities.

Even if your bank details aren’t compromised, criminals might use your national identity document (DNI) to impersonate you. This could lead to gambling winnings being attributed to you on your tax return, even if you didn’t participate in the games.

PhishingAlert helps prevent unauthorized registrations on online gambling sites. It focuses on games covered by Law 13/2011, which require identity verification and collaborate with the DGOJ’s Identity Verification System.

Important: PhishingAlert doesn’t cover all online gambling games. It’s specifically designed for reputable and legal platforms that verify user identities.

Upon registering with PhishingAlert, you’ll receive a report detailing all services that have verified your identity, including online gambling operators. This allows you to identify any unauthorized use of your data.

After registration, whenever a new gambling operator verifies your identity, the information is cross-checked with the PhishingAlert database. If a match is found based on your name, date of birth, and DNI, you’ll receive a notification prompting you to complete the registration process on the gambling site. This ensures that you are the one actually registering.

How to Register for PhishingAlert

To sign up for PhishingAlert, follow these steps:

1. Go to the official PhishingAlert service website.
2. Click on the Online Submission button.
3. On the next page, click the Register button.
4. Ignore the large buttons at the top and scroll down to the Personal Data Protection section.
5. Choose a Registration of Individuals option. You can register without a digital certificate by manually entering your data, or use a digital certificate (FNMT or DNIe) or Clave Permanente.
6. Fill out the form with your information. If you used a digital certificate, some fields will be pre-filled. You’ll need to provide your name, DNI, and choose a notification method (email or postal mail).
7. Enter your email address twice, create a password, and provide your mobile phone number for alerts.
8. Review your information and click the Confirm button.
9. You’ll receive an email with a verification link. Click the link, log in, and your registration will be complete.

Key Takeaway: PhishingAlert is a valuable tool for protecting your identity and preventing fraud in the online gambling world. Registering for the service can help you stay informed and take action if your personal information is misused.