Paraguay warns of banking fraud scams

The Central Bank of Paraguay warned about data requests, urgent calls claiming an account has been blocked, and demands for codes, tokens, PINs, passwords or WhatsApp codes as common tactics in digital banking fraud. At the same time, the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, MADES, warned about calls and text messages from people posing as consultants or as linked to the ministry to carry out scams.

What did the Central Bank of Paraguay warn about?

The BCP urged people to distrust requests for data and urgent calls that claim an account has been blocked, as well as requests for codes, tokens, PINs, passwords or WhatsApp codes. It also listed links that do not match the official website as signs of fraud.

The warning points to common social engineering tactics aimed at stealing credentials and accessing digital banking accounts. The bank did not detail specific cases in this communication, but it did list the methods that should raise alarms for users.

What did MADES report about these scams?

MADES said that unknown people are making calls and sending text messages while presenting themselves as consultants or as people linked to the ministry. According to its notice, the goal is to deceive contacts in order to obtain information or advance fraud schemes.

The ministry asked people not to share personal data, banking information, passwords or access codes, and not to transfer money. It also recommended verifying any request through institutional channels and keeping screenshots, numbers, dates and times to report suspicious contacts.

What measures did the ministry ask people to take?

MADES recommended verifying requests through institutional channels, keeping screenshots, numbers, dates and times, and reporting suspicious contacts. It also stressed not sharing personal data, banking information, passwords or access codes.

The guidance is meant to preserve a record of fraudulent communications and help with any possible complaint. The agency linked these practices to people posing as officials to commit scams, according to its alert published in ABC Color.