ACSU alerted residents on 14 September about a warning issued by Standard Bank over phishing scams targeting their clients.
Mr Theo Craven, control room operator for ACSU and district manager of the South African Community Crime Watch (SACCW) Gert Sibande, said; “Scammers pretend to be phoning from a fraud hotline and inform residents that there is unusual activity on their accounts.”
“Thereafter, they request card information and a one time pin.”
Mr Craven urged people, to not fall for this one-time pin (OTP) request and should they receive a call similar to the above, rather end it immediately and contact their bank directly.
“Banks will not ask you to confirm personal information over the phone, email, WhatsApp or SMS’s.”
Mr Ross Linstorm, spokesman of Standard Bank said; “A phishing scam is where fraudsters ask you for your personal and bank account details over the phone.
“It is becoming more common with the increase in mobile banking.
“Know that the bank will never ask for your account details, password, pin or OTP over the phone.”
Phishing scams, however, is when fraudsters send you unsolicited emails, in which they claim to be from a reliable organisation, like a bank or an email service provider.
How phishing scams works :
- You receive an email request to update or confirm your details by clicking on a link or an icon.
- Once you click on it, a fake website is launched.
- On the website, you are asked to share your account details, email account, cell phone number or bank card details, username and password for online banking.
- Any details you provide on the fake website are captures by the fraudsters and used to defraud you.
Mr Craven said if residents notice any suspicious transactions they should contact 080 022 2050 immediately.
The Highvelder sent media enquiries to Ms Louise van der Merwe, spokesman of South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC), however, the Highvelder still awaits a response.
Read the complete article in the Highvelder newspaper.
