Scammers in Moscow Use Biometrics to Obtain Loans

Multiple cases have been reported in Moscow where scammers use clients’ voices to take out loans or other financial products. Criminals have discovered a new way to deceive people in the city: they record the voices of bank clients and then use these recordings to apply for loans.

According to TASS, citing Moscow law enforcement, scammers initially call bank clients and ask questions that require simple “yes” or “no” answers. Once they have the necessary responses, they use them to apply for loans in the victims’ names, exploiting new loopholes involving biometric data.

“Knowing that some banks offer loan services based on biometric data, the criminals call bank clients who already have voice recognition enabled and ask questions that require only ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers. The conversation is recorded, and later, the answers are used by the scammers to take out loans in the victims’ names,” TASS quotes the police as saying. Victims usually find out about the loans only when money is withdrawn from their accounts.

How to Protect Yourself

Moscow police advise residents to be vigilant when receiving suspicious calls. Never share your card details with anyone, and if you receive a call offering to collect biometric data, respond that you will visit the bank branch in person. To protect your savings, use multiple security measures, such as a code word or confirmation through the contact center. Setting a withdrawal limit is even more secure. As soon as you receive notifications about money being withdrawn, immediately block your card.