The department of the Federal Enforcement Agency (FSSP) in the Sverdlovsk Region has issued a warning about a rising wave of scam calls in which fraudsters pose as bailiffs. The impostors threaten to place individuals on the federal register of unscrupulous payers and to block bank cards and accounts. The alerts have appeared in regional news coverage, signaling a shift in tactics used by fraudsters who prey on people under financial stress.
According to the report, after presenting these threats, the scammers send a link purportedly for debt payment. Victims who click the link often find that the money is redirected to the fraudsters. Officials emphasized that any legitimate debt notifications should only be delivered through the Government Services portal or other official, clearly identifiable channels. The authorities stress that familiarity with the correct procedures helps prevent unauthorized payments and protects personal financial information.
When individuals begin receiving suspicious calls or messages claiming there is an outstanding debt, experts advise verifying the information on the official website of the bailiffs of the Russian Federation. If the debt status is shown there, it should be resolved through official payment portals. The publication’s sources recommend making payments via the official FSSP website or other government-approved platforms, rather than through links provided in unsolicited messages. This caution is meant to curb social engineering attempts and reduce the risk of fraud.
Oleg Cherkasov, a leading lawyer with the European Legal Service (EJS), underscored the importance of staying calm and not rushing to judgments. He advised individuals not to rely on information received through dubious calls or messages, and to verify any debt notices through reliable sources before taking any action that could expose them to fraud or data theft.
In a separate incident reported on August 10, a resident of Perm was accused of long-term alimony nonpayment and chose to disappear from debt enforcement by hiding near a pond. On the day of arrest, investigators detailed that the person repeatedly attempted to reposition along the water’s edge, seeking concealment in the reeds. The suspect was eventually located and brought before the magistrate’s court to answer for the charges, illustrating how quickly situations can escalate into serious legal consequences.
A separate, troubling case involving a former bailiff was documented in the Sverdlovsk region, where a mushroom picker reportedly encountered danger during an encounter with a swampy area. The report notes that the incident was captured as part of ongoing public safety monitoring in the region, highlighting the broader context in which debt collection and law enforcement interact with natural terrain and regional livelihoods. In all such reports, authorities remind residents to rely on official channels for any enforcement actions and to report suspicious activity to the proper authorities, thereby safeguarding themselves and their communities against fraud and harm.