The Central Bank of Russia issued a letter advising banks to strengthen controls around customer identification procedures to reduce the risk of accounts and payment cards being opened and used by “droppers”. The guidance focuses on preventing misuse of cards issued through payroll projects and improving safeguards where intermediaries are involved in onboarding. Banks are advised to ensure that payment cards issued under payroll projects can be activated by the true holder only after identification has been completed. Where a credit institution onboards new clients and issues cards via an intermediary, it is recommended to verify that all required client documents are prepared and not forged. Banks are also strongly recommended to identify offices and units with very high risk of accounts being opened by droppers and to enhance controls over those locations, including the possible use of photo and video recording to confirm the physical presence of the person in whose name an account is opened.
Central Bank of Russia 2025-11-01
Central Bank of Russia urges banks to tighten customer identification and card activation controls to deter droppers
The Central Bank of Russia has advised banks to enhance customer identification controls to mitigate the risk of accounts and payment cards being misused by "droppers." The guidance emphasizes verifying client documents, ensuring card activation by the true holder, and strengthening controls at high-risk locations, potentially using photo and video recording for verification.