ECCB Shares Public Awareness about the Increase of Financial Crimes across the ECCU

12 March 2026, Basseterre, Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis - The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) is urging citizens and residents of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) to be more alert as financial crimes continue to rise.

In this week's episode of ECCB Connects, President of the St Kitts-Nevis Bankers Association, Eberna Whyte and Inspector Jerry Watt from the White Collar Crimes Unit of the Royal Saint Christopher and Nevis Police Force, provide guidance on what individuals can do to reduce their risks of falling prey to financial scams and fraud.

Whyte says the popular financial scams are: email or text phishing, love scams, job scams, investment scams and compromised email addresses for businesses. She says that there are several options and tools available to customers and banks to protect their digital funds online. These include account alerts for customers to monitor activity and the ability for banks to freeze accounts.

Watt cautions that the public should be concerned, as they are the ones being targeted. He says that mass text request to change a password is also a popular scam used across the currency union. He adds that, when funds are stolen via scams, the chances of recovery are slim to none, unless there is quick collaborative action between the banks and law enforcement.

Account holders are encouraged to verify suspicious activities and transactions with their bankers and report such information immediately to the relevant law enforcement authorities in an effort to reduce financial crimes.

Follow the ECCB's social media pages and website for more information on this episode.

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About the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank
The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) was established in October 1983. The ECCB is the Monetary Authority for: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

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