Anti-fraud number to appear on bank cards: Uzbekistan strengthens protection against cyber fraud

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan is introducing a mandatory requirement: all bank cards must now have a 24-hour hotline number on the back for reporting fraud. This will allow account holders to contact the bank in the first minutes after an attack to block transactions and access to the mobile application. The new rules are enshrined in the "Regulations on Minimum Requirements for Information and Cybersecurity", registered on January 21, and will come into force on April 24, 2026.

The document also establishes strict regulations for interaction between clients and banks. Cardholders are required to report the loss of their phone or unauthorized access to their account within 24 hours, and a change of number within three days. Banks are required to automatically block mobile applications if a call or remote access program is active on the device, eliminating the possibility of remote fraud.

Special attention is paid to protection against credit fraud: the "single window" mechanism blocks simultaneous applications for online loans for one client for 24 hours. In the event of illegal loan processing, interest and debt collection cease after a citizen is recognized as a victim. All transfers are accompanied by biometric identification and notifications, making the remote banking system in Uzbekistan one of the most secure in the region.