Russia's Duma approves sweeping fraud protections for finance and mobile users

Russia’s State Duma has passed a new bill aimed at tightening security for financial and mobile services. The legislation introduces several measures to protect citizens from fraud and unauthorised access. It now awaits approval from the Federation Council and President Vladimir Putin’s signature to become law. The bill includes a cap on the number of bank cards one individual can register, setting the limit at 20. This move seeks to reduce the risk of fraud through excessive account activity.

For mobile services, providers must now include the device’s IMEI number in contracts. Operators can refuse service to users who do not provide this identifier. Additionally, all incoming international calls will be clearly labelled, and subscribers have the option to block them entirely.

A key feature is the emergency 'panic button' on the Gosuslugi public services portal. This allows users to independently block all remote financial transactions if they suspect unauthorised activity. The bill also addresses child safety by letting parents notify their mobile operator if a SIM card is used by a minor, restricting access to age-appropriate content only. The proposed law is designed to shield citizens from fraudsters who may have gained access to their accounts. Once approved by the Federation Council and signed by the president, the measures will take effect. They will apply to both financial transactions and mobile service regulations across the country.