Financial Transactions to Friends and Family are Banned: Writing or Using Bank Card May Lead to Account Freeze
In the current financial landscape, Russians are advised to exercise caution when making bank transfers, particularly with regard to the comment or message field. Even seemingly innocuous comments can raise suspicion if the transfer appears unusual in size or frequency to the bank.
To avoid potential issues, it's essential to steer clear of sensitive or sanction-related words. This includes references to Ukraine, Crimea, military activities, or sanctioned entities. Additionally, avoid terms that imply prohibited use of funds, such as "investment in foreign assets," "cryptocurrency purchase," or anything related to evading sanctions.
Instead, opt for neutral or generic comments such as "gift," "family support," or "personal transfer" if a comment is required. When possible, leaving the comment field blank or minimal is also a good practice, as some banks or intermediaries may flag transfers based on comment content.
Modern banking AI systems in Russia focus on "trigger words" in transfer comments, so it's crucial to use clear and concise language. Comments containing jokes or irony, such as "kickback," "for a fiver," "bomb," or "it's set," may also be perceived as potential signals of illegal activity.
For transfers to friends and relatives, neutral phrases like "gift" or "loan repayment" are appropriate. For payments for services, specific formulations such as "device repair," "July rent," or "under contract No..." are optimal for transparency.
Inconsistency in data, such as specifying a recipient's name different from the card owner's, can raise suspicion. For loan repayment, maximum detail - full name, contract number or date - is recommended. For transfers between your own accounts in Russia, it's advisable to write "personal funds."
For official transactions, including the contract or payment document number is advisable. However, using terms related to prohibited topics such as "cryptocurrency," "drugs," "weapons," "lottery," "gambling," or "bribe" in transfer comments can be perceived as potential signals of illegal activity.
In summary, to minimize issues with bank transfers, Russians should avoid sensitive or sanction-related words in the comment field and instead use neutral, non-political, and generic phrases or leave it empty if possible. A concise and clear description of the payment purpose in the "Comment" field can help prove the legality of a transaction in case of disputes. If your card is blocked due to a comment, it's important to call the bank to find out why, gather evidence, follow the bank's instructions, and keep records of the documents for at least six months after the transfer.
- To ensure a smooth transaction, it's prudent to use non-controversial terms such as "personal-finance" or "gift" when making bank transfers in Russia, avoiding sensitive words related to finance, cybersecurity, or politics.
- With modern AI systems in Russian banks focusing on "trigger words" in transfer comments, it's crucial to use clear and concise language, steering clear of terms like "cryptocurrency" or "investment in foreign assets" that could indicate illegal activity.
