ArmInfo. Recently, the Central Bank of Armenia has received reports of a new financial fraud scheme: individuals posing as utility service employees are making home visits under the guise of conducting inspections, obtaining citizens' personal information and then illegally using it to obtain loans and embezzle funds. This was noted in a statement from the Central Bank of Armenia.
Specifically, unknown individuals posing as employees of utility companies contact citizens under the pretext of providing services or conducting inspections, and then visit their apartments. During face-to-face interactions in people's apartments, fraudsters mislead individuals to gain access to their personal data. They then use mobile apps of financial institutions operating in Armenia to register, identify, and remotely verify their identities (including by facial scanning/photography).
As a result, without the knowledge or consent of individuals and using their personal data, accounts are opened at various banks, consumer loans are issued remotely, and the resulting loan proceeds are immediately transferred to third-party bank accounts. This entails unexpected financial obligations for citizens.
The Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia calls on citizens to exercise maximum vigilance and, to protect themselves from financial fraud, at a minimum:
- Check the identity of visiting "employees": ask anyone claiming to be an employee of a company to provide documents confirming their status as an employee of that organization, and/or contact that company using the phone numbers listed on its official website;
- Do not provide documents (including identification), personal and banking information: do not share your personal information, passwords, or one-time verification codes (OTPs) received via SMS, as well as personal documents, including identification, with others;
- Do not allow others to register on your behalf: do not allow third parties to use your personal information, photograph, or videotape your face on unfamiliar, incomprehensible, or inaccessible platforms (especially using devices that you do not belong);
- In the event of a suspicious situation or possible fraud, you should immediately contact the relevant bank to block banking applications or transactions on your bank accounts, and also contact law enforcement agencies.
