AS more and more Zululanders turn to online banking to keep their finances in check, the shrewder criminals get in the ‘digi-sphere’.
‘We proactively close down fraudulent phishing websites used by criminals to try and access customers’ confidential banking details,’ said FNB Head of Innovation, Yolande Steyn.
But new scams regularly pop up with one of the latest being flight purchase debit scams.
‘You will receive an SMS informing you of a flight purchase debited to your account.
‘Fraudsters will request you to select a link in the SMS to revise the transaction.
‘When you select the link, you will be redirected to a fake banking website.
‘You are then redirected to an ‘Update and Confirm Details’ screen requesting more information to be verified.
‘The fraudsters will now be in a position to access your banking profile.’
Another top trend is social media scams.
‘Beware of fraudsters pretending to represent a bank on social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, WhatsApp or any other social media platform,’ said Steyn.
‘We will never ask for your credit or cheque card, account number, online banking login details or password or One Time PIN (OTP) on social media platforms.
‘The official accounts also display a blue tick indicating that they are verified.’
Strange change
Another top trick is the ‘change of banking details scam’ in which a person receives an email that pretends to come from a supplier asking for an update on banking details.
‘Beware of this even if it is on the supplier’s letterhead.
‘Contact your supplier on the number that you already have for them and not the one on the fraudulent letter.’
Steyn also mentioned the ‘419 scams’, which entail communication by email to a recipient making an offer that would result in a large pay-off for the recipient.
‘The details vary and large amounts of money are usually involved.
‘Invariably, the victims’ banking details as well as sums of money are said to be required in advance in order to facilitate the payment of the funds.
‘Essentially, the promised money transfer never happens and in addition the fraudsters may use the victims’ banking details to withdraw money for themselves.
‘Remember, the bank will never ask for your username, password or PIN in an email, SMS, social media or phone call.
‘Never select a link to our website that was sent via email.
‘Always type in the bank’s web address.’
Tips to stay safe
• Never click on links in emails.
• If someone calls and pretends to be from a reputable company, be wary if they start asking for information that is personal. Hang up and call the company on any of its official numbers to verify the call.
• The username and password for banking, email and other websites should always be different.
• Regularly change passwords and PIN numbers.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 072 069 4169
Instagram – zululand_observer
