DACO alerts on new cloud storage fraud scheme
Puerto Rico's consumer affairs department warns that phishing emails falsely claim accounts have reached full capacity and direct users to fraudulent sites seeking banking and credit card details.
File photoThe short version
- El Vocero reports that DACO identified emails claiming cloud storage is at 100% capacity and activities have been paused
- According to Primera Hora, clicking the reactivation button leads to a site requesting bank account and credit or debit card information
- DACO interim secretary Erwin “Farito” Álvarez called it a sophisticated scheme using graphics to appear legitimate
- The Consumer Fraud Detection Unit created in 2023 has identified about 53 fraudulent schemes in 2026 so far
Warning issued Friday
The Departamento de Asuntos del Consumidor (DACO) alerted consumers on Friday about a new fraudulent scheme that uses emails with false warnings about cloud storage accounts. El Vocero reported The emails claim that upload and synchronization activities have been paused because the account has reached 100% capacity, preventing users from saving new photos or email attachments.
Interim secretary Erwin “Farito” Álvarez said technical staff from the Unidad para la Detección de Esquemas Fraudulentos contra el Consumidor identified the tactic, which directs users to a button that supposedly reactivates the service. Primera Hora reported Clicking the button leads to a site requesting financial information including bank account numbers and credit or debit card details.
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What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Este es un esquema fraudulento dirigido a hurtar datos financieros como números de cuentas bancarias y tarjetas de crédito y/o débito.
Our translation: This is a fraudulent scheme aimed at stealing financial data such as bank account numbers and credit and/or debit cards.
The source's own statement, as quoted by DACO via Primera Hora. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Advice to consumers
Álvarez warned in written statements that this is a fraudulent scheme aimed at stealing financial data. He noted that the messages use sophisticated graphics and designs to appear legitimate. DACO urged consumers to verify the authenticity of any such notification directly with the service provider through official channels rather than using links in suspicious emails.
The Unidad para la Detección de Esquemas Fraudulentos contra el Consumidor was created in 2023 to identify new fraud modalities and inform the public. According to DACO, the unit has identified approximately 53 fraudulent schemes so far in 2026.
Where the sources differ
Both El Vocero and Primera Hora agree on the core details of the fraud: emails falsely claiming cloud storage is full and paused, a reactivation button leading to requests for financial data, the involvement of the Consumer Fraud Detection Unit, its creation in 2023, and the identification of about 53 schemes in 2026. El Vocero attributes the unit's identification to technical personnel while Primera Hora quotes Álvarez saying the unit redoubled efforts and identified the email today. Primera Hora includes a longer direct quote from Álvarez warning consumers not to act without first checking with their email service.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not specify which cloud storage providers are being impersonated, whether any consumers have already fallen victim or had data stolen, the exact number of such emails detected, or whether law enforcement agencies beyond DACO are investigating the perpetrators. They also do not indicate if specific actions such as blocking domains or issuing takedown requests are underway.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official DACO alerta sobre nuevo fraude que utiliza falsas notificaciones de almacenamiento de "Cloud"
- Reporting DACO alerta sobre nuevo fraude que utiliza falsas notificaciones de almacenamiento de "Cloud"
- Reporting DACO alerta sobre fraude con cuentas de almacenamiento en la nube
How we checked this
El Vocero and Primera Hora both reported the DACO alert issued on Friday, Oct. 23, relying on statements from interim secretary Erwin “Farito” Álvarez and the agency's description of the scheme. The figure of 53 schemes identified in 2026 rests on the single DACO statement carried by both outlets.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.