Instant transfers are the backbone of everyday payments in Argentina. Money moves between bank accounts and payment apps in seconds, which is convenient for businesses and, unfortunately, attractive for fraud. The Central Bank (BCRA) has responded with a new framework that will change how banks and fintechs check the people behind accounts and transfers.
The new rules in brief
Through Communication “A” 8473, issued on September 3, 2026, the BCRA requires the administrators of immediate transfer schemes to build a fraud risk score for every individual’s tax identification number. The score combines information supplied by the BCRA with data from the Fraud Prevention Center, and may include transactional information the administrators share among themselves.
The score is delivered free of charge to the banks and payment service providers that offer payment accounts and originate instant transfers. They receive it through a monthly file covering all individual tax IDs, plus an interface to query updated scores. A companion rule, Communication “A” 8471, requires institutions to run a general fraud risk management program covering identification, mitigation and ongoing monitoring.
Where the score must be used
| Area | What institutions must do |
|---|---|
| Onboarding | Use the score when accepting new customers and opening accounts |
| Transaction monitoring | Use it to monitor transfers, for both the sending and the receiving customer |
| Account holder reviews | Use it to periodically reassess the risk level of existing customers |
| Policies | Include it in risk management policies and procedures |
Deadlines
- Administrators of the transfer schemes have 120 calendar days from publication to produce the score.
- Banks and payment providers then have 60 calendar days to apply it to onboarding, account opening and registry reviews, and 90 calendar days for transaction monitoring, counted from the date they receive the technical documentation.
- Failure to comply can lead to sanctions under the Financial Institutions Law.
What it means for companies
The score is calculated for individuals, not companies. But every company account in Argentina is linked to people: shareholders, administrators and authorized signatories. When a bank or fintech opens or reviews a company account, it checks those individuals, so the new score will become part of that process.
In practice, founders and companies should expect:
- More thorough checks when opening accounts at banks and fintechs, including payment accounts such as Mercado Pago.
- Closer monitoring of unusual transfer patterns, both outgoing and incoming.
- Occasional holds or requests for information when activity changes suddenly.
How to stay on the right side of the checks
- Keep the identity data of shareholders, administrators and signatories consistent across banks, ARCA and marketplaces.
- Explain expected volumes and counterparties when opening an account, so the activity matches the profile.
- Avoid sudden, unexplained changes in transfer patterns, and document large or unusual operations.
- Respond quickly to information requests from your bank or payment provider.
A well-prepared file makes banking smoother. Our corporate bank account checklist and our bank account opening service explain how to get there. Companies in regulated sectors should also read our notes on financial services licensing and crypto businesses, and MercadoLibre sellers can see how payments fit into our MercadoLibre sellers service.
Why fraud prevention is tightening
Instant transfers settle in seconds and are hard to reverse, which makes them attractive for scams that rely on speed, such as fake sales, impersonation and accounts opened with stolen identities to receive and move funds. Until now, each bank or fintech assessed those risks with its own information. The new score puts shared information in the hands of every institution that originates transfers, so a person flagged by one system can be detected by the others.
For legitimate businesses, the trade-off is more scrutiny in exchange for a safer payment ecosystem. Companies that sell online, collect payments from many customers or move funds frequently between accounts are the most likely to notice the change, because their activity naturally involves many transfers.
Frequently asked questions
Does the score apply to my company’s tax ID?
The score is calculated for individuals’ tax identification numbers. Company accounts are affected indirectly, because institutions review the individuals linked to them, such as shareholders, administrators and signatories.
Will my account be blocked because of the new rules?
The rules do not order automatic blocks. They require institutions to use the score in onboarding, monitoring and periodic reviews. In practice, unusual activity may lead to additional checks or information requests, which are easier to resolve with good documentation.
When will the changes be visible?
The deadlines run in stages: first the administrators of the transfer schemes produce the score, then institutions have 60 or 90 days to apply it. Most companies should expect the changes to be gradual over the coming months.
Can a foreign founder open an account under these rules?
Yes. Foreign founders can open accounts as long as their identification and documentation are consistent. The new score mainly adds another check on the individuals involved, which makes a complete and coherent file even more important.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Implementation details depend on the BCRA and each institution; official communications are published by the BCRA.
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