A call from the bank — or from a criminal?
The number looks right, the voice is calm and professional, and the story is urgent. Everything about the call is real except the caller.
How the call goes
The caller claims to be from your bank's fraud or security department, and sometimes says the call has been transferred from the central bank. The script is calm and rehearsed:
“We noticed a suspicious transaction on your card — we are protecting your account.”
“Read me the code that just arrived, to cancel the transaction.”
“Download this app so we can complete the steps with you.”
“Move your money to a safe account until the investigation ends.”
“The central bank requires this verification — do not tell anyone, the line is monitored.”
“Stay on the line — do not call the branch, they will not know about this case.”
Three things no bank will ever do
No bank asks you to read out a one-time code. No bank asks you to install a remote-access app so that it can see your screen. No bank asks you to move your money to another account to keep it “safe”. A central bank does not call individuals about their personal accounts at all. Caller numbers can be faked, so the number shown on your screen proves nothing — and a real bank will never keep you on the line to stop you from checking. Treat any call that asks for a code or a transfer as a scam call and end it immediately.
⚠️ You are asked for a verification code, PIN, password or full card number.
⚠️ You are asked to install an app or to share your screen.
⚠️ You are asked to move money to another account — always described as “safe”.
⚠️ The caller says the central bank, the police or “the fraud department” is handling it.
⚠️ You are told to keep it secret and not to contact your branch.
⚠️ The call is urgent and the caller will not let you hang up and call back.
- Hang up. Do not argue and do not explain — simply end the call.
- Call your bank on the number printed on your card or shown in its official app — not the number they gave you.
- If you installed an app or shared your screen, remove it and change your banking password immediately.
- If money was moved, tell your bank at once and ask for the transfer to be recalled.
- Report the number through the official national channel for your country (below).
If you are on a call like this right now
End the call. Nothing bad happens if it was genuine and you hang up — a real bank does not mind, and you can always call back on the official number. What cannot be undone is a code read out loud or a remote-access app installed.
“Central bank” and “police” stories
The names of official bodies are used to make the story sound final. Real authorities do not ask you to transfer your own money anywhere, and they do not run your case over a phone call that ends with a payment.
The bank is impersonated too
The bank whose name is used did not contact you and did not defraud you — its identity has been stolen, exactly as your account was targeted. That is why the official channel always matters more than the call.
Report it officially
🇦🇪 UAE
Dubai Police eCrime (ecrime.ae, 901) · Abu Dhabi Aman 8002626 · Ministry of Interior e-Crime · emergencies 999.
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
Ministry of Interior e-Crime platform · report financial fraud to your bank and SAMA · emergencies 911.
🇰🇼 Kuwait
CITRA Cyber Security
[email protected] · Ministry of Interior cybercrime unit · emergency 112.
🇧🇭 Bahrain
National Cyber Security Center
[email protected] · Ministry of Interior economic & electronic security · emergencies 999.
