The National Bank of Georgia has warned of renewed cases of individuals impersonating its representatives through WhatsApp and other communication channels to offer loans and assistance with financial transactions. Cases also involved unauthorized use of the central bank’s official logo. The warning highlights social engineering schemes that seek to gain access to customers’ bank accounts or persuade customers to carry out transactions themselves. In one reported case, a customer was initially contacted in the name of a commercial bank about a supposedly approved loan. After the customer denied having applied, individuals contacted the customer in the central bank’s name and persuaded them to activate a loan through internet banking and transfer part of the proceeds to a third party’s account. The National Bank of Georgia reiterated that it does not lend to individuals or legal entities, open deposits, or help customers obtain financial products from commercial banks. Customers should not disclose personal or financial information, including banking usernames and passwords, enter such information through suspicious links, or conduct banking or card transactions at unknown individuals’ prompting. Offers should be verified directly with the customer’s financial institution before taking action. Suspected fraud should be reported to the relevant law enforcement authorities.
National Bank of Georgia warns of impersonation scams involving loan offers and unauthorized use of its logo
The National Bank of Georgia has warned that individuals are impersonating its representatives through WhatsApp and other channels to offer loans and financial assistance. One reported case led a customer to activate a loan and transfer part of the proceeds to a third party’s account. The central bank reiterated that it does not provide such services and urged customers to protect their banking credentials, verify offers with their financial institution and report suspected fraud to law enforcement.