VTB warns of new scam trick to force a loan

MOSCOW, March 30 – RIA Novosti. VTB specialists have noted an increase in the activity of scammers, who notify customers about the “blocking” of an online bank account, and then try to find data that will allow them to take loans from them, promising re-access to the account. and withdraw these funds to their accounts, as reported by RIA Novosti in the bank’s press service.

“VTB specialists have seen an increase in the activity of scammers who inform customers about the blocking of an online bank account. According to VTB, attackers are looking for bank customers on behalf of contact center employees,” the credit institution said.

During the call, scammers are asked to give their ID and password from SMS, which supposedly should help restore the service. “Actually, this is how they try to break into an account or withdraw funds to their account by completing and approving an online loan application,” the press service said.

Olga Tsegelnaya, head of the customer service department, vice president of VTB, said that the main advice in such cases is to immediately stop communication and independently contact the bank through official channels in order to clarify the information.

VTB recalled that scammers use various schemes to steal money, for example, forcing customers to apply for a loan and then transfer these funds to unknown, supposedly safe accounts. Attempts by scammers to persuade customers to apply for loans have increased 25 percent since the start of the year, according to the bank.