A warning about evolving telephone fraud has reached a new level during the summer holiday season. An honored Russian attorney, Ivan Solovyov, alerts that scammers are ramping up activity with a fresh scheme designed to fool residents during vacations, as reported by RT. The fraudulent call originates from a number showing Moscow region code 495, yet the caller ID does not mark it as spam or as an unwanted call, making it harder to identify as suspicious at first glance.
The scam unfolds when the recipient answers. A familiar voice, imitating a voice assistant, claims there is a bank request to change the customer’s phone number. The caller then asks the person to press “one” if the message is true and “two” if it is not. Regardless of the response, or if the call goes unanswered, the line may be handed over to a supposed bank employee after a musical interlude. The caller even uses the customer’s name and references a request to alter the phone number, urging the victim to wait for a formal bank SMS that will supposedly verify the change and provide further instructions.
In simple terms, a minute later an SMS arrives from the real bank’s alert number, prompting the receiver to enter a code to confirm the phone change. The expert stresses clearly: under no circumstances should this code be entered. The emphasis is on stopping the conversation and avoiding any interaction that could give access to financial accounts.
Security specialists stress the importance of careful behavior when dealing with unfamiliar calls. The clear message is to hang up if anything seems off and not to share codes or personal details over the phone with unverified contacts. The guidance includes verifying the sender directly through official banking channels and reporting suspicious activity to the financial institution or relevant authorities without delay.
Oleg Sedov, a former security expert, shares practical phrases to avoid during phone calls to minimize the risk of fraud. The guidance highlights staying calm, refusing to disclose sensitive information, and declining to follow unexpected instructions even when the caller pretends to be a trusted bank representative. In such situations, skepticism and careful verification are the safest tools to protect personal data and money.
This evolving scam underscores a broader principle useful across the United States, Canada, and beyond: individuals should treat any unsolicited bank contact with caution, especially if it involves a request to confirm a number change or to disclose a short code. Real banks will never ask customers to reveal security codes over the phone or via text messages in response to an unexpected call. Support staff from legitimate institutions typically initiate contact only through verified, official channels. When in doubt, customers should pause the call and initiate a new conversation using a known, official contact path.
For residents enjoying travel or a holiday routine, it helps to keep a few practical habits in mind. First, never press any number to confirm a request from an incoming call unless you have independently verified the caller’s identity through your bank’s official app or website. Second, treat any SMS about a number change with skepticism unless it matches a verified request you initiated. Third, if a message appears suspicious, contact the bank using a phone number or online form you locate on the bank’s official site, not the information provided by the caller. And fourth, report the incident to the bank and, where appropriate, to local consumer protection agencies.
The core message is clear: personal data and access credentials should stay guarded. If a caller pretends to be a trusted bank representative, it is wise to pause, verify, and choose the safest path. With vigilance and steady verification, travelers and residents alike can protect their accounts without becoming easy targets for fraud.
(Cited: RT)