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  • Business - Banking & Finance
  • Updated: June 23, 2020

First Bank, Access Bank, Others Raise Alarm As Fraudsters Attack Customers

First Bank, Access Bank, Others Raise Alarm As Fraudsters At

First Bank, Access Bank and Fidelity Bank have raised alarm over increase in fraud activities, as fraudsters target their customers. The banks spoke of the alarming rate the fraudulent activity that has increased since the outbreak of the Coronavirus. Bank customers' ATM cards and BVN details have been the major target.

The new development comes amidst the increase in the use of electronic banking to transact. Coronavirus had shifted business transactions online, where bank customers are making purchases rather than visiting stores and paying cash. The hike in E-banking activities has increased the threat bank customers face during online transactions.

What Is First Bank Saying?

Reacting to the scammers' activities, First Bank in a statement to its customers said it had noticed a sharp hike in fraudulent activities as scammers have been having sleepless nights trying to convince bank customers to dial their fraudulent numbers to activate customer's card.

“We observed that scammers are beginning to have sleepless nights over our customers’ accounts. They have started sending messages on purported ATM card deactivation, due to difference in date of birth.

“They even go as far as telling you to dial their fraudulent numbers to activate your card. As in, they want to defraud you and they still ask you to waste your money on them! Don’t fall for it; it’s a lie!

"Let them know that you are not a zombie, let them know smartness is in your DNA. If you get any suspicious message as such, delete it immediately. Rest assured, FirstBank will never ask for your personal details or ask you to call a personal number.

“Also, do not click on any online link asking for your account details such as your BVN, personal information, ATM card number, PIN or OTP,” First Bank said.

What Did Access Bank Say?

Access Bank warned customers to be wary of demands for their personal or bank details as the fraudsters disguise themselves as bank representatives and use the palliatives from the government as bait to collect customers BVNs.

"Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in the country which necessitated the lockdown of first, three major cities, and eventually the entire nation, the bank has observed a worrying increase in reports of fraudsters targeting unsuspecting customers.

"This development has become even more worrisome, especially as these people not only disguise themselves as bank representatives but also use the palliatives from the government as bait to collect customers BVNs and other key banking details."

Also confirming the fraudulent activities, the Executive Director, Retail Banking, Access Bank Plc, Victor Etuokwu, stated that, "Customers must remember that the bank will never ask for their BVN, full card PAN, PIN, mobile app activation code, OTP or password as it is readily available to the Bank via its database.

"Any call, email and text message, claiming to be from Access Bank demanding for any of these details is certainly a scam,” he concluded.

Fidelity Bank Customers Must Be Wary

Meanwhile, Fidelity Bank also drew the attention of its customers to the attack being experienced from scammers. According to Fidelity Bank, the fraudsters are impersonating COVID-19 officials, "Dear customer, it has come to our attention that scammers are utilising the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to defraud the public by impersonating COVID-19 officials alongside some of the following.”

The bank added that “Please do not click on any link or respond to any of such messages; delete immediately!" and "If or when in doubt, please contact our customer care representatives."

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