Personal Details Verification
Requests
This is a daring new
scam, involving fraudsters posing as officials from Banks, normally from the
Fraud division or the security division. It is inferred that the account
holder's account has been compromised, and as part of their investigation,
require the account holder's bank details, credit card details and personal
information. They may also claim the Bank's computer has malfunctioned to
obtain personal details. The request can be made by email, letter or telephone.
Email
The Fraudster will send
an email stating that the account holder's Internet Banking Details have been
compromised. They provide a hyperlink which directs the account holder to the
bank's website to log in and confirm their details. In fact, the web site looks
official, with the Bank's logo's, but the website is a fake.
The fraudster then uses
the Internet banking login details (which has just been provided) to log in and
transfer funds out of the account.
For further details of
this scam please see the Factsheet on Phishing
Mail
This variation involves
the Fraudster sending an account holder a letter, supposedly from the Bank. Once
again, they infer that the account has been compromised and they are
investigating. They simply require the account holder to fill out a form,
confirming banking and personal details, and all will be fixed. They may even
provide you with a prepaid envelope and a freephone telephone number to assist.
The Fraudster then uses
the personal information to withdraw funds from the account.
Telephone
This variation involves
the Fraudster supposedly from the Bank calling an account holder. Once again,
they infer that the account has been compromised and they are
investigating. They are able to fix everything up, as soon as the account holder
provides banking, credit card and personal details.
If the account holder
asks to call the caller back at the Bank to confirm their identity, they will
claim they are not in the Banks branch, but can be contacted on another
number. Sure enough, when the number is called it is answered in the name of the
Bank.
The Fraudster then uses
the personal information to withdraw funds from the account.
Prevention
If someone claiming to be
from your bank ever contacts you, either by email, regular mail, or telephone,
ALWAYS take extraordinary steps to confirm their identity, before you give any
personal information.
The best way is to refuse
to answer any questions but call them back on a number that was provided by the
bank when you opened your account.
Never, ever, give any
information to a caller that has telephoned you - ALWAYS phone your bank
or other financial institution back. And remember, if they claim to have lost
your personal information such as log in details, they are NOT who they claim to
be!
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