Lately, phone scam attempts involving fake bank employees asking for confidential information under the pretext of protecting customer funds have been reported. Be informed and prepared to recognize such situations and act accordingly.
How phone scam works
Scammers contact targeted individuals, pretending to be bank employees and claiming an urgent situation. The call usually comes from an apparently legitimate number, and the fraudster claims that suspicious activity has been identified on the victim's account. They state that the money is at risk of being transferred to a foreign country without authorization and that immediate action is needed to prevent the funds from being lost.
In such situations, the scammers use different techniques to put pressure on the victim, demanding:
- Providing confidential banking details - card number, expiry date and CVV code;
- Confirming the OTP (One-Time Password) code received by SMS under the pretext of stopping a transfer;
- Transfer the money to a “safe” account, which is in fact controlled by fraudsters.
Once they have this information, the fraudsters can access the victim's accounts and make unauthorized transfers.
How to protect yourself from phone scam
To avoid such situations, take the following safety measures:
- Never provide banking details or passwords over the phone - bank employees will not ask for such information;
- Hang up the call and contact your bank or the official number found on the card or on the official website to check the situation;
- Beware of calls asking for quick action or inducing panic;
- Do not access unknown links or install apps upon callers' request.
It is essential to stay vigilant and make informed decisions in these situations. If you have doubts about any call, always verify any unusual activity directly with your bank.
If you have become a victim of fraud, temporarily block your cards through the app and immediately call the Contact Center or report it infofraud@maib.md.
Be vigilant,
Maib team
