Fraud is on the rise nationwide and the fraudsters are getting more sophisticated every day. The good news is that there are practices that can protect your funds and some easy actions to help you repel those sneaky fiends.

SECURITY CHECKLIST

Set up real-time text alerts in on your debit and credit cards to monitor activities.

When you receive confirmations and secure access codes unexpectedly, let your bank know ASAP (and never give anyone your TPIN or OTP access code unless you contacted the bank and the bank is your identity)

Review your account activities regularly to check for anything unusual (at least once a month).

Enroll in eStatements to guard your account information from mail theft

Save your Bank’s phone numbers in your phone contacts so you can quickly call the bank any time something doesn’t feel right, like an impersonator calling with an urgent request (remember that fraudsters can spoof phone number so hang up and call your bank right away).

EXPLORE FRAUD TIPS

Common red flags

How do you know it’s a scam?

  1. Someone contacts you and pressures you to act quickly.
  2. They ask for personal information like your ID number or your Digital Banking credentials.
  3. They ask you to lie to your bank about why you need the money for a withdrawal or transfer.
  4. They ask you to send them money from an unrecoverable source like a wire transfer, or gift cards.
  5. They claim they overpaid you and ask you to send money back.
SUSPICIOUS CALLS

What to do if someone “from your bank” calls and you aren’t sure if it’s a scam:

  1. Hang up
  2. Call the number of your Bank Customer service contact center
  3. Ask to be connected to the person you just spoke to
  4. Explain what happened

If your bank is calling you, it’s ok to be suspicious. If you have concerns, hang up (you won’t hurt your bank’s feelings) and call back with a number you know is verified number of your bank. Ask to be connected with the same person. If that person doesn’t work here, congratulations, you just avoided an impersonator scam!

If you’re calling your bank, the bank representative will ask you some questions to verify your identity. As long as you’re calling the official number of your bank, it’s ok to share this information.

SUSPICIOUS TEXT MESSAGE

Don’t reply. Don’t click.
  • Never enter your Digital Banking credentials through a text message link. This is how scammers gain control of your accounts!
  • If you’re concerned, contact your bank through Chat or call the contact center number

WHAT TO DO IF YOU DETECT ANY FINANCIAL FRAUD?

You can do one or more of the following if you have become a victim of financial fraud

  • Immediately report to your bank and get a complaint registered and ask for complaint reference number, ideally through a voice call followed by an email
  • You can visit government website www.fia.gov.pk and register your complaint by filling online form. For more information on reporting cybercrimes, you can visit the web site of National Response Centre For Cyber Crime at https://www.nr3c.gov.pk/faq.html

The bottom line is to be more vigilant and proactive in protecting against identity theft and financial fraud.