National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic Warns of Increasing Telephone Fraud
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic warns the public about an increase in cases of telephone fraud.
Fraudsters use various schemes to deceive individuals over the phone in an attempt to steal funds from their bank accounts or take out online loans in their names and subsequently transfer the borrowed funds to accounts controlled by the fraudsters.
How does the fraud scheme work?
The fraud typically begins with a phone call from a person claiming to be an employee of a commercial bank. The caller may allege that the individual’s personal data has been compromised or that third parties have taken out an online loan in their name.
The victim may then receive a call from another person claiming to be an employee of the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic or another government authority. Under the pretext of protecting the victim’s funds, the fraudster instructs the victim to transfer their money to a supposedly “safe” or “secure” account.
Fraudsters may use spoofed or otherwise falsified telephone numbers. To make their claims appear legitimate, they may also send forged employee identification cards or other fraudulent documents bearing the logo and purported signatures of National Bank officials.
It is important to note that, in such cases, the victim personally carries out all the transactions — including transferring funds or applying for an online loan — while acting on the fraudsters’ instructions.
How can you protect yourself?
- Immediately terminate the call if a person claiming to be an employee of a bank, the National Bank, or another government authority contacts you and informs you of an alleged leak of your personal data or an unauthorized online loan taken out in your name. If you choose to continue the conversation, do not enable screen sharing and do not disclose any personal or confidential information, including your personal identification number, passwords, verification codes, PINs, or other sensitive information. Do not confirm or provide any information about yourself. As a general precaution, avoid answering video calls from unknown numbers through messaging applications and do not click on links received from unknown or unverified sources.
- If you have any doubts about a telephone call, contact the bank yourself using the official contact numbers published on the bank’s website or in its official mobile application. You may also visit the nearest branch of the bank in person.
- Remember: banks and the National Bank do not contact individuals by telephone regarding alleged unauthorized online loans or leaks of personal data. They also do not send employee identification cards or other official documents through messaging applications.
What should you do if you have fallen victim to fraud?
If you realize that you have fallen victim to fraud, immediately contact your bank and request that your bank card and/or account be blocked.
You should then promptly file a report with the relevant law enforcement authorities.
REMEMBER
Fraudsters may use different schemes and pretexts, but their ultimate goal is always the same: to mislead you, gain your trust, and persuade you to transfer money from your account.
Once you transfer your funds, the fraudsters have achieved their objective.
IMPORTANT
The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic urges citizens to regularly monitor its official website, www.nbkr.kg, and its official social media accounts, where important information and consumer alerts are published.
Citizens are also encouraged to follow official news and notifications issued by financial and credit institutions through their official websites and mobile applications.
For information and to file complaints regarding actions or omissions by financial and credit institutions, citizens may contact the Consumer Protection Department of the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic at:
- 0770 737 349
- 0555 855 748
- 0312 31 31 89
- 0312 31 31 22
- 0312 31 29 48