Deborah Ndinorouba
The Association of Corporate Communication and Marketing Professionals in Banks (ACAMB) has cautioned financial institution clients against phishing scams, warning that fraudsters are more and more impersonating monetary establishments by pretend textual content messages, cloned web sites and fraudulent social media accounts to steal delicate banking data.
The warning follows a fraudulent textual content message impersonating a number of banks, which FactCheckAfrica debunked after discovering that the hyperlink contained within the message directed customers to a cloned web banking web site designed to reap login credentials, Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs), card particulars and transaction PINs.
The incident highlights rising considerations over digital banking fraud as extra Nigerians depend on on-line platforms for monetary transactions.
In June, Wema Bank suspended its engagements on X following studies of greater than 70 pretend accounts impersonating the financial institution and its ALAT platform. Similarly, Zenith Bank Plc disclosed in August that it was investigating unauthorised entry to buyer knowledge linked to a worldwide cyberattack.
ACAMB President, Jide Sipe, mentioned fraudsters have been turning into more and more refined of their makes an attempt to use clients’ belief in established banking manufacturers, making it harder to tell apart fraudulent messages from official communications.
“When a scam message carries your name, your phone number or your bank’s logo, it looks real. That is exactly why customers must slow down. No bank in Nigeria will ask you to confirm your PIN, password, OTP or BVN through a link,” Sipe mentioned.
He acknowledged efforts by banks to strengthen fraud detection and buyer safety, alongside regulatory measures launched by the Central Bank of Nigeria by its obligatory cybersecurity self-assessment information.
However, he careworn that stronger safety techniques and regulatory oversight should be matched by better buyer consciousness, noting that fraudsters proceed to use unsuspecting customers by misleading messages and requests for confidential data.
“Banks can strengthen their security systems, but fraudsters continue to find ways to exploit unsuspecting customers. We must all remain vigilant. Always pause, verify requests through official channels and report anything suspicious before taking action,” he added.
