On SMS fraud using the name of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation

The Bank of Russia’s External and Public Relations Department communicates that in 2012, the Bank of Russia frequently received information (including via the Internet) about SMS fraud using the name of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation.

In particular, unidentified persons send SMS and e-mails to customers of various credit institutions saying that their bank cards are blocked and asking the customers to call telephone numbers stated in the messages. The sender is usually indicated as: the Centrobank of Russia, CentroBank, or the Bank of Russia Security Service associated with the name of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation.

When people call the numbers listed, the fraudsters try to find out the numbers of their allegedly blocked bank cards, PIN codes, the amount of money on their card accounts, card owners’ personal data, and other confidential information.

These SMS and e-mails are treated by the Bank of Russia as a new type of fraud involving the name of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation. The Central Bank of the Russian Federation has nothing to do with these SMS and e-mails.

If you receive such an SMS or e-mail, please contact the credit institution’s office that issued your bank card.

При использовании материала ссылка на Пресс-службу Банка России обязательна.