CBN Deactivation Of ATMs Fraud Alert!

"Dear Customer, Due to the new Bvn Policy by the CBN. Your ATM CARD has been deactivated to reactivate call our BVN room on 08174426771

THANKS(CBN)BVN ROOM.

Sender: CBNBVNUNIT"

The above 'fraudulent' message was sent to an unsuspecting Nigerian earlier in the week, Wednesday 3rd February, by 02:33:23am to be precise. 

It was also understood that such messages is randomly being sent to Nigerians, asking them to re-activate their BVN, as the Central Bank has deactivated their ATM cards.

The affected individual (identity withheld) who had upgrade her BVN over a year ago, suspecting foul play, rushed to the Central Bank office at Marina, Lagos, on Wednesday around 1:20pm, where after listening to the complaint's story, the un-informed security officers at the gate requested that the complaint call the number '08174426771' as directed in the message and follow the instructions, as they can not allow the compliant entrance to verify the authenticity of the message.

After some argument at the gate and some calls placed by the complaint to the mysterious number (on insistence of the security officers)....the complaint argued that the message looked suspicious and that she should be allowed access into the office to verify the authenticity of the message, as CBN does not go about 'de-activating' individual's ATMs.

The Chief security officer saw some sense in the complaint argument and led the complaint into the office. 

On going through the so-called-message from CNB, the CBN staff who attended to the case stated that the message was not from CBN, and indeed a FRAUD. He stated that the CBN has no business 'deactivating' individual's ATM, they get deal with the banks instead.

He further tried calling the number but at that point, it was switched off.

Notice to the public, NEVER EVER disclose your BVN for any reason to any person,  group or organization. 

When you get such messages, DO NOT CALL ANY NUMBERS, CONTACT YOUR BANK INSTEAD.

Security Officers working with Banks should also be educated on this trend, so that they can be in a best position to properly educate individuals  when they come with these complaints, instead of asking them to call the number in the 'fraudulent message and follow directives as seen in this case.