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Russia’s Interior Ministry Warns Citizens Not to Share Sensitive Personal Data

The advisory explains how scammers exploit document photos, one-time codes and basic identity details to steal funds and assume victims’ identities.

Overview

  • The ministry’s cybercrime unit listed passports, taxpayer ID (INN) and pension number (SNILS) as documents that must never be given to third parties.
  • It cautioned that one-time passwords or codes from SMS or push notifications should never be disclosed, noting that legitimate security services do not request them.
  • Officials warned against sending passport photos “to confirm identity,” saying such images enable theft and fraudulent transactions.
  • People were urged not to share their home address, real-time location, routine routes or relatives’ phone numbers, particularly in public profiles.
  • The guidance, posted January 4 on the ministry’s Telegram channel, also notes that a name, date of birth and phone number can be enough to access email or take out credit in someone’s name.