The short answer
If a caller claiming to be from the police or your bank asks you to move funds to a 'safe account,' it is a scam. Neither the police nor the bank will ever ask you to provide BankID codes or move money to secure it. Always hang up immediately and contact your bank using an independently verified, official channel.
In Norway, a frequent tactic used by scammers involves impersonating authorities to manipulate individuals into transferring funds. By claiming that your money is under threat, they urge you to move assets into a so-called 'safe account' to protect them.
This is a fraudulent scheme. Genuine financial institutions and law enforcement agencies will never require you to move your money to a 'security account' under their control. Recognizing this pattern is critical for maintaining your financial safety and preventing unauthorized access to your assets.
01Recognizing Impersonation Tactics
Scammers often use multiple communication channels to build trust, combining phone calls with follow-up SMS or emails that look legitimate. They are known to pressure victims by creating a sense of urgency, insisting that a fast decision is necessary to prevent a loss. However, these are psychological techniques used to bypass critical thinking.
- The caller claims to be from the police or your bank.
- They suggest an urgent need to move funds for protection.
- The communication uses high-pressure language.
Source for this section[1] BankID Norway: advice against fraud
02The Danger of BankID Manipulation
A core component of these scams is the attempt to gain access to your BankID. Scammers may call or message you asking for your BankID codes or passwords, claiming it is for account verification. It is an absolute rule that no serious actor will request these credentials via SMS, email, or phone call.
- Never provide BankID codes to anyone, including family or officials.
- Police and banks will never ask for your login details over the phone.
- BankID never sends SMS messages containing links.
Source for this section[1] BankID Norway: advice against fraud
03Why 'Safe Accounts' Are Fraudulent
The concept of a 'safe account' managed by the police or the bank to protect a victim's money is a fabrication used by fraudsters. When a caller instructs you to move money this way, they are actually guiding you to transfer your own funds into their control. By the time a victim realizes the nature of the transaction, the funds are often unrecoverable.
- No such 'security account' exists for public protection.
- Moving money on instruction is a method for scammers to seize control.
- If you receive such a call, hang up immediately.
Source for this section[1] BankID Norway: advice against fraud
04Protecting Yourself and Your Assets
Taking the right precautions can uncover these attempts at fraud early. If you feel pressure, stop and think. A legitimate bank or authority will always allow you time to verify their identity through official, public channels. Never rely on contact information provided by the person calling you; use verified numbers from official websites.
- Delete suspicious emails or SMS messages immediately.
- Contact your bank directly to confirm if everything is in order.
- Keep your BankID password unique and secure.
Source for this section[1] BankID Norway: advice against fraud
05Hypothetical Action Plan
If you are currently on a call with someone demanding you move your crypto or bank balance to a 'safe account,' consider this hypothetical procedure to maintain your security.
- Step 1: Terminate the call instantly.
- Step 2: Do not engage with any provided links in follow-up messages.
- Step 3: Call your bank using the phone number found on the back of your card or their official website.
- Step 4: Request that your BankID be blocked if you inadvertently shared any partial information.
- Step 5: Document the phone number and time of the interaction for future reporting.
- Step 6: Report the attempt to the local police district.
Source for this section[1] BankID Norway: advice against fraud
06Keep independent bank contact separate from a crime report
If money or BankID access may still be at risk, use the bank’s independently verified contact channel first. If you suspect a crime, the Norwegian Police official contact page can help you reach the relevant non-emergency or local district route. A police report is not a substitute for asking the bank to secure compromised access.
For your own preparation, separate the claimed caller identity from facts you can verify: incoming number [number shown], instructions [what was said], signing action [what you actually approved] and payment [receipt]. Caller ID alone does not establish who called. Do not give a new caller BankID secrets or remote access to “finish” a report.
Sources for this section[1] BankID Norway: advice against fraud[2] Norwegian Police: official contact routes
Checklist
- Never give out BankID codes or passwords.
- Hang up immediately if an 'official' asks you to move money.
- Ignore links in unsolicited SMS or email.
- Contact your bank independently through official channels.
- Be skeptical of urgent demands to act quickly.
- Keep BankID passwords unique.
- Report suspected fraud to your local police.
Questions people ask
Can the police or my bank ask me to move funds to a safe account?
No. This is a common fraud tactic. They will never ask you to move your money to another account for security reasons.
What should I do if I gave my BankID information to a caller?
Contact your bank immediately to block your BankID and attempt to stop any pending transfers.
Are older people the only ones targeted by these scams?
No. While the 'Olga scam' is well known, all age groups are targets for these types of fraudulent impersonation attacks.
Safety boundaries
- No legitimate helper needs your seed phrase, private key, password, one-time code, remote access to your device or a wallet connection.
- Nobody can promise that funds will be recovered. Treat any guarantee, or any fee demanded to release funds, with suspicion.
- Find official contact details yourself, through the regulator, bank or platform website, not through a message or advert you received.
- This guide is general education. It is not legal, financial or tax advice and does not assess your situation.
If you want to organise your facts, the initial claim outline on our homepage collects only a short summary and contact details. It creates no client relationship and promises no outcome. Do not send documents or credentials.
Official sources
- [1]BankID Norway: advice against fraud
Checked 4 October 2026 - [2]Norwegian Police: official contact routes
Checked 4 October 2026
AI-assisted educational content published by Central Crypto Claim using the official sources listed below. No independent expert review is claimed. This is not legal, financial or tax advice.