The Kurunegala District Deputy Inspector General’s Office (DIG) has issued a strong warning about a financial scam targeting personal bank account details using the newly introduced Tax Identification Number (TIN) program. Scammers are posing as bank officers and tricking individuals into revealing sensitive information, leading to significant financial losses.
According to the DIG’s office, several individuals have already fallen victim to this scam, losing large sums of money. The modus operandi involves scammers impersonating staff members of state banks and contacting individuals under the guise of assisting with setting up their TIN accounts. They then manipulate victims into divulging confidential details like money transfer codes (OPTs), ultimately gaining access to their bank accounts and siphoning off funds.
Recent instances reveal the severity of the threat. A Buddhist monk from Kurunegala lost over Rs. 200,000, while another individual suffered a staggering Rs. 1 million loss due to such fraudulent activities.
To combat this issue, the Kurunegala District DIG’s Office has launched a special awareness program to educate the public about the scam and urge them to remain vigilant. They reiterate the following crucial points:
- Never share personal bank account details or OPTs with anyone over the phone, even if they claim to be bank representatives.
- Banks will never request such information through unsolicited calls or messages.
- Always verify the authenticity of any communication claiming to be from your bank through official channels.
- Report any suspicious activity to the authorities immediately.
By staying informed and exercising caution, individuals can protect themselves from falling prey to these cunning scams.
