CaliToday (12/9/2025): A critical public safety alert has been issued across Vietnam today following a significant data breach at the National Credit Information Center of Vietnam (CIC), the country's central repository for financial and credit histories.
Authorities are warning that a vast trove of highly sensitive personal data is now likely in the hands of criminals, triggering an immediate and high risk of targeted fraud and sophisticated scams aimed at the public. All citizens are being urged to exercise extreme caution in their financial dealings and online communications.
The CIC is the official institution that collects, stores, and analyzes the credit information of individuals and businesses in Vietnam, including data on loans, credit card debt, and payment histories. A breach of this system is considered critical because the leaked data represents the core of an individual's financial identity, often including full names, national ID numbers, addresses, and detailed credit status.
BE ON HIGH ALERT: How Scammers Will Use This Data
Security experts warn that criminals will use this stolen data to make their scams appear incredibly legitimate and convincing. Every citizen should be on the lookout for the following tactics:
Hyper-Targeted Phishing: Scammers can send emails or text messages pretending to be from your bank, the CIC itself, or another financial institution. They will use your real name and other leaked personal details to sound official, tricking you into clicking malicious links or revealing passwords and OTP codes.
Example: "Dear Mr. Nguyen Van A, regarding your recent loan activity, we require you to verify your account immediately by clicking this link..."
Sophisticated Phone Scams (Vishing): Expect phone calls from criminals posing as bank employees, government officials, or even the police. They will quote your personal information to gain your trust before asking you to transfer money, pay a fake "fine," or share your security codes to "resolve an issue" with your account.
Fake Loan Offers and Blackmail: Armed with your credit history, criminals may contact you with too-good-to-be-true loan offers to lure you into predatory debt traps. In more sinister cases, they may use your financial information to threaten or blackmail you.
How to Protect Yourself: Your Immediate Action Plan
Authorities strongly advise the public to adopt a "zero trust" policy and take the following protective measures immediately:
Trust NO Unsolicited Communication: Treat every unexpected text message, email, or phone call regarding your finances with extreme suspicion. Banks and government agencies will never ask for your password or OTP code.
NEVER Share Your OTP Code: This is the golden rule. Your One-Time Password is the final key to your accounts. Never share it with anyone, for any reason.
Verify Independently: If you receive a suspicious call from someone claiming to be from your bank, hang up. Find the bank's official hotline on their website or the back of your card and call them yourself to verify the request.
Monitor Your Accounts: Keep a close watch on all your bank accounts and credit card statements for any transactions you do not recognize. Report any suspicious activity to your bank immediately.
Strengthen Your Passwords: Ensure your online banking passwords are strong and unique. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible.
The official advice is clear: assume your data may have been compromised and act accordingly. In the wake of this breach, your personal vigilance is the most powerful defense you have.
