Bangladesh Bank has issued a public alert against a fraudulent website operating under the name of the national card scheme TakaPay, warning that the site is illegally collecting sensitive personal information from the public.
In a press release issued on Monday, the central bank said that the fake site, https://takapaycard.com, is falsely claiming affiliation with TakaPay and is soliciting names, addresses, mobile numbers, email IDs, and national ID details. Such misuse could result in serious financial harm, the bank warned.
Bangladesh Bank clarified that it has not authorised any website or mobile app for customer registration or online features under the TakaPay scheme. Currently, TakaPay transactions can only be carried out via NPSB-approved debit cards issued by 15 banks and used at compatible ATMs or POS terminals.
“No extra features, online accounts, loans, or rewards are offered under the national card scheme,” the bank stressed.
The bank further reminded that under Section 45(2) of the “Governance and Discipline Act 2024,” no entity can run or attempt to run any operations in the name of Bangladesh Bank or a licensed bank without prior approval.
Additionally, collecting or processing citizens’ financial data without approval from the central bank is a punishable offence under Section 73(2) of the same law.
Bangladesh Bank called on citizens to avoid providing any information to the fraudulent site and urged the media to disseminate the alert in the national interest.
The official warning was signed by Sayeda Khanam, Director of the Department of Communication and Publication, Bangladesh Bank.