WHEN a Mtubatuba resident set up telephone banking on her First National Bank (FNB) account, she had no idea what she was in for.
A few days later, a whopping R21 000 was withdrawn from Miriam Janse van Vuuren’s bank account without her permission.
Moreover, further unauthorised payments were pending when she froze her account.
Janse van Vuuren was informed by Vodacom, her cell phone service provider, that she had conducted a sim swap, which can only be done in-store by presenting her identity document and proof of residence to RICA the new sim card.
Knowing she had not done this, and growing more concerned over the security of her personal details, she blocked her cell phone.
‘Both FNB and Vodacom told me I must have, at some point, divulged my personal details which led to the sim swap and withdrawal of funds,’ said Janse van Vuuren, who is now battling to pay off an overdraft incurred as a result of the fraudulent withdrawal.
It is unclear if there is any link between the telephone banking and fraudulent activity on Janse van Vuuren’s account but FNB is investigating the matter.
An unofficial comment by the bank stated that customers must be careful as to whom information is divulged via telephone, SMS or the internet. FNB will comment officially once their investigation is complete.
Vodacom’s Forensic Services subsequently confirmed the sim swap was ‘unauthorised and therefore fraudulent’ and said, ‘The unique username and password of the relevant call centre agent was compromised and utilised to unlawfully manipulate the system and to process the sim swap.’
However, the service provider went on to say it does not accept liability for the alleged financial loss incurred as a result.
Janse van Vuuren plans to take the matter further.
* Read more about Zululand scams HERE
@TamlynJolly
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