Russians were warned about a new fraud scheme involving “updating” accounts

VTB Bank has identified a new fraudulent scheme – scammers offer to “update” the money in the account for additional protection. In addition, clients are guaranteed a refund, insurance or increased income on the deposit, the bank said in a statement.

As VTB noted, the unknown person introduces himself over the phone as a bank employee and reports strange transactions on the client’s account. It is noteworthy that the fraudster may even send a document on a fake letterhead with a logo and seal. After which the “bank employee” offers to open a new single personal account and insure any amount over 1 million rubles using the company’s reserves, promising, in particular, an increased rate on the deposit as compensation for the inconvenience.

To activate the account, scammers ask to transfer money to it through an ATM, assuring that financial assets will be restored after updating the details.

“It is important to remember that the bank will never ask to update the account – it simply does not make sense,” said Nikita Chugunov, senior vice president, head of the VTB digital business department, emphasizing that in case of suspicious transactions, the bank blocks the account until the situation is clarified.