RESIDENTS have been urged to refrain from revealing their One Time Password (OTP) to people claiming to be from the Banks Fraud Division.
According to Captain Govender from SAPS Office of the Provincial Commissioner, Eastern Cape, criminals are using a new trend to defraud innocent people of their hard earned savings. One victim has since lost R70 000.
“In the cases that have been reported thus far, the caller will identify himself as an individual working in the Banks Fraud Division. He states that a transaction has taken place on the victim’s account. The suspect has all personal particulars and profile of the victim, including details of bank accounts, linked accounts beneficiaries etc,” said Govender.
She said the suspect then states that a transaction has appeared on an account which appears suspicious and enquires from the victim if they have approved a transaction for a large amount of cash from their account, furnishing account details and when the victim replies in the negative, the caller informs the victim that he will reverse the charge if the victim can go onto their banking app.
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“Once the victim has logged onto their banking app, the suspect tells the victim to supply the One Time Password (OTP) that was sent via SMS to their cell phone so that the transaction can be reversed. As soon as the OTP is given to the suspect, the suspect starts to transact on the account, increasing limits, adding beneficiaries and making payments and draining the account. Do not respond and do not supply the OTP, this is when the suspect has full control of your account,” added Captain Govender.
The community is urged to take heed of the following: Do not respond to these calls. Cut the call immediately and contact your bank on their toll free numbers if you are uncertain.
You can check your account privately. Do not give any OTP (One Time Password) over the phone to any individual. Your bank will not ask you for your passwords or an OTP.
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“Losses amounting to nearly R70 000 have been reported from one victim alone. Should you be caught in a scam such as this, the bank will not be able to assist you in recovering your loss, as you have furnished your One Time Password (OTP) to the suspect and allowed permission to the suspect to transact on your account,” said Captain Govender.
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