Fake bank call-center scam : fonctionnement, signaux et que faire

Banking fraud · alto

The victim gets a call, text or message that looks like it's from their bank, warning of a "suspicious purchase" or "account breach". The number may even display as the bank's (caller ID spoofing).

The fake agent already knows details such as name, tax ID and part of the card number (from data leaks) and sounds professional. They say that to "protect" the money it must be moved to a "safe account", a "test" Pix must be made, a remote-access app installed or SMS codes read out.

Sometimes the call is "transferred" to a supposed fraud department or a "police officer" for extra credibility. By the time the victim realises, the money has passed through several accounts.

Sinais / Signs

The "bank" asks you to move money to a "safe account" or make a test Pix.
They ask for your password, token, SMS code or full card details.
They ask you to install an app or open a link during the call.
Urgent tone: "if you hang up, you'll lose everything".
The bank called you, rather than you calling the bank.

Prevenção / Prevention

Hang up and call the bank's official number yourself, ideally from another phone.
Remember: banks don't ask for passwords, don't ask you to move money to a safe account and don't send anyone to collect your card.
Set low Pix and transfer limits, especially at night.
Never install remote-access apps at a caller's request.
Agree on a simple rule with older relatives: hang up and call someone they trust.

O que fazer / What to do

Call your bank right away using the official number (back of the card or in the app) and ask to block cards, accounts and access.
If you paid via Pix, ask your bank to open a MED (Special Return Mechanism) claim as soon as possible — time matters because funds move fast.
File a police report (many Brazilian states accept online reports) and keep screenshots, receipts, numbers and links.
Change passwords for email, banking and social media, turn on two-step verification and sign out of other devices.
In the US, report to the FBI IC3 (ic3.gov) and the FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov); if your identity was misused, follow the plan at identitytheft.gov.

FAQ

Does a bank ever call asking you to move money to a safe account?

No. That request is the hallmark of the scam. Hang up and call the bank on its official number.

The number that called me is the bank's real number. Can it still be a scam?

Yes. Caller ID can be spoofed. What counts is calling back on the official number yourself.

Is this scam common?

Yes. According to Febraban, "fake call center / fake employee" had 139,000 reports in H1 2025, up 195.7% (source: Diario de Pernambuco).

Radar

2025-11-01 — Fake-sale scam soars 314% and leads bank customer reports in Brazil. In H1 2025 there were 174,000 fake-sale reports and 139,000 fake call-center reports (+195.7%); WhatsApp scams fell 9.9%. Source: Febraban (via Diario de Pernambuco)

Fake bank call centres and courier scams in Brazil: how they work

Diario de Pernambuco — Febraban: golpes mais relatados por clientes bancários (1º sem/2025) · CERT.br — Cartilha de Segurança para Internet · FBI IC3 — Internet Crime Complaint Center · FTC — ReportFraud