Hang Up! Scammers Are Posing as Central Bank Officials

Fraudsters are no longer relying only on suspicious text messages or anonymous phone calls. According to the Central Bank of Belize, scammers are now using Google Meet to pose as officials from the institution, giving their scheme a more convincing appearance as they try to obtain confidential banking information. The Central Bank issued an urgent warning today, October fourteenth, after receiving multiple reports of fraudulent calls targeting members of the public. According to the bank, the callers falsely claim to represent the institution and invite their targets to communicate through Google Meet. During those online interactions, the impersonators reportedly request personal or financial details. The Central Bank says anyone who receives such a call should end it immediately. Bank officials stress that the institution does not make unsolicited calls asking members of the public to provide passwords, personal identification numbers, banking credentials, credit card details or other sensitive financial information. The Central Bank says unexpected callers asking for passwords, PINs, credit card numbers or banking details are scammers. Do not engage or try to verify the caller. End the call or online meeting immediately. Fraudsters may use familiar platforms such as Google Meet to appear legitimate, but the Central Bank will never contact you unexpectedly for confidential financial information. Stay alert and share the warning with family and friends.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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