Security source: Do not respond to calls requesting personal or banking information

A security source stressed the necessity for citizens and residents not to respond to any phone calls, whether from local-looking mobile numbers or via the WhatsApp application, in which callers claim to be police officers or officials from official entities and request personal or banking information. The source confirmed that these calls are fraudulent attempts aimed at seizing bank balances and committing cyber fraud, emphasizing that officers and personnel of the Ministry of Interior never make such calls, nor are they authorized to request any personal or banking information from citizens or residents via phone or communication apps. The source expressed surprise at the reports received by the Ministry of Interior’s operations room regarding individuals impersonating police officers and requesting information such as the civil ID number, questioning, “How can police officers request basic information that is already available to official entities?” This warning comes in tandem with periodic warnings issued by the Central Bank of Kuwait, which urge citizens and residents not to disclose any banking information or confidential data, and not to respond to calls, text messages, or WhatsApp messages requesting such information, as they represent attempts to steal bank accounts. The Central Bank of Kuwait reiterated that it does not contact customers, nor does it send messages requesting any information related to bank accounts or confidential data, urging everyone to ignore such calls and report them, and to refrain from sharing any banking information or verification codes with any party to safeguard their funds and accounts.