The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has issued a fresh and urgent warning to the public regarding a persistent wave of scams. Fraudsters are actively impersonating central bank officials and employees to deceive individuals into handing over money and sensitive personal information.
How the Scam Operates: Fake BSP Representatives
The BSP emphasized a critical fact: its offices and personnel do not conduct or facilitate personal financial transactions for the public. This means the central bank will never handle personal deposits, withdrawals, or fund transfers on behalf of any individual.
Scammers, however, are brazenly ignoring this. They contact potential victims through emails, text messages, or phone calls, falsely presenting themselves as BSP employees. These criminals often use sophisticated tactics, including showing falsified documents bearing the BSP's official name and logo to appear legitimate.
Their schemes typically involve urgent requests. They may claim to be helping a victim open an account, settle a complaint about a financial product, or process a transaction. The ultimate goal is to obtain confidential details like bank account numbers, passwords, and One-Time Pins (OTPs), or to convince victims to make immediate payments.
Red Flags: What the BSP Will Never Ask You to Do
To help the public identify these fraudulent attempts, the BSP outlined clear actions that its genuine personnel will never take. The central bank will never ask you to transfer funds from your account for any reason. This includes fabricated charges for anti-money laundering clearance, taxes, insurance, or other fake fees.
Another major red flag is the use of clickable links. The BSP prohibits banks under its supervision from sending clickable links via SMS, email, or messaging apps. If you receive a message claiming to be from your bank or the BSP with a clickable link, it is almost certainly a phishing attempt designed to steal your login credentials and money.
How to Protect Yourself and Report Scammers
If you encounter someone claiming to be from the BSP, the first rule is to ignore them. Do not engage, and never share personal or financial information.
For legitimate concerns about a bank or other BSP-supervised financial institution, you should always go through the official channels. Contact the institution directly first. If the issue is not resolved, you may then file a formal complaint through the BSP Consumer Assistance Mechanism.
If you have been targeted or victimized by these scams, the BSP urges you to report the incident immediately. You can contact the BSP via email at bspmail@bsp.gov.ph or call their hotline at (+632) 8811-1277 or 8811-1BSP.
Furthermore, you can report the scammers to law enforcement agencies:
- Philippine National Police through their official website.
- National Bureau of Investigation via their online reporting portal.
If you suspect your financial account has already been compromised, act without delay. Immediately contact your bank or e-money issuer through their official customer service channels to secure your account. The warning was issued by the BSP on January 19, 2026, underscoring the ongoing need for public vigilance in the face of evolving financial scams.
