During the pandemic, digital communication channels gained special prominence. Within this context, fraud and scam schemes are mushrooming in the form of fake profiles in social media that send phone calls, direct messages, messages through WhatsApp and other messaging apps, and deceptive emails intended to obtain personal and banking data.
Keep in mind that the BCRA will not contact you to ask for your personal or banking data.
In this scenario, the challenge is to protect your personal data by implementing good practices for social media, websites and digital platforms.
-Legitimate profiles have a blue check authenticity mark.
-Generally, fake profiles only have very recent posts and a small number of followers.
Upon identifying a fake profile of the BCRA or other institution, you may report the account as spam directly through the app for potential fraud alerts.
The official profiles of the BCRA in digital platforms are:
What Is Phishing?
It is a scam by which an email purporting to be legitimate is sent to make a user open a link, fill in forms with personal data or download malware files. In this case, you should immediately delete it.
What Is Smishing?
It is a type of fraud through text messages or any messaging app that asks you to provide sensitive information. Like in the case of phishing, you should immediately delete the message.
What is Spoofing?
It is an act of impersonation committed through identity theft techniques that can apply to emails, websites, and IP address. Regardless of the type of spoofing involved, bad actors attempt to obtain a target's personal information, spread malware or else cause some type of damage by pretending to be a trusted person, organization, or enterprise.
-Since 2020, the BCRA has reported more than 30 fake profiles on Instagram and Twitter that have already been deleted.
-Smishing Case | Fake Text Message or Chat Purporting to be from the BCRA
-Phishing Case | Fake Email Purporting to be from the BCRA
-Bank Security | Phishing Email Purporting to be from the BCRA (I)
-Bank Security | Phishing Email Purporting to be from the BCRA (II)
You may contact the Specialized Cybercrime Unit (Unidad Fiscal Especializada en Ciberdelincuencia, UFECI).
Address: Sarmiento 663, 6° Piso, CABA
Phone: (+54 11) 5071-0040 / 0041
Email: denunciasufeci@mpf.gov.ar
If you receive information or messages purporting to be from the BCRA you may forward them to Online Support (ayudaenlinea@bcra.gob.ar).