Let’s Safeguard Ourselves from Scams!

It’s a massive shift towards money transactions being conducted online and this has accelerated the development of the ominous phenomenon of various scams. Hence, here are some scams and tips on how can we avoid the scams as below.

PHISHING

In phishing, the scamsters use multiple methods to trick you into giving them your user IDs, passwords or credit card details, so that they can gain access to your online banking accounts.  Some of them approching us by phishing email which is designed for recipient to open the email and click on the links provided. Customers will receive a fake website link to fill in their details, and scamsters will uses details to complete transfer on genuine website.

How to protect yourself from Phishing?

Never open and click on any unknown website links or download any attachments received from email, SMS, WhatsApp, Wechat or other communication applications.

MALWARE
Malware is known as a all sorts of malicious and harmful software that steal your money or your identity without your awareness. Malware influences the normal device processes and steals your personal information. Scammers use malware to transfer your fund from your account and to commit identity theft.

How to protect yourself from malware?
●Install an updated, quality anti-virus/anti-malware software and update them regularly.
●Only download files or program from genuine source.
●Be alert. NEVER open any spam email messages with any attachments or click links on suspicious websites.
●Regularly check security alerts and advisories to obtain the necessary information to protect your device.
●Keep your operating system (e.g. Windows), Internet browser, applications (e.g. Adobe Acrobat, Java) and firewalls up to date by trusted sources.

MONEY MULING
Money Mules refers to someone who are recruited or used to help facilitate the movement of funds to the criminals. In other words, money mules are used specifically to receive and transfer out stolen money with their personal banking account as intermediary account .This is easier for fraudsters to transfer stolen funds directly into their accounts would make their whereabouts and activities be hardly traced by law enforcement agencies. Fraudsters will try to recruit customer by promising them rewards and recruitment normally be promoted via social media.

How to protect yourself from become a money mule?
●Be alert of the overseas company offering employment, as it would be difficult for you to find out who they really are. Do a search on the employing company, confirm their contact details and verify their identity.
●Do not get carried away by attractive commissions or consent to receive unauthorized money
●Be suspicious of job adverts promising you an easy money for just a few hours of work every month.
●Don't open a new bank account to receive and transfer money from people you don't know anything about.

QR FRAUD AWARENESS
Apart from phishing or scams via e-mails and SMS, QR Code Scam is another form of phishing by substituting the real QR codes and redirects the customers to a malicious website, which include malware that may be directly downloaded to the victims’device.

How to protect yourself from QR Code Scam
●Avoid scanning a QR code which is on a removable sticker or in public places, such as bus stops, train stations or walkways.
●Be wary of scanning a QR code with suspicious web page URL address that request for online banking username or account details such as passwords, please do not disclose any personal information.
●If you are requested to download any mobile applications on your devices after scanning a QR code, please ensure the links, publisher and requested permission details are all genuine before proceeding with installation.
●Verify the payment details such as amount, beneficiary name, etc. before confirming the transaction to ensure it’s going to the respective recipient/merchant.
●Install up-to-date anti-virus software on your device and make sure it's updated regularly.

Here are some tips you can practise today to increase your security and help protect yourself against theft.

CREDIT & DEBIT CARD SAFETY TIPS
Using Credit Card or Debit Card for purchases makes shopping experience more convenient because we are no longer required carry cash with us or seaching for ATM if we are running out of cash. There are several ways to protect your card from being misused.
●Make sure only connect to secured Wi-Fi if you wish to perform online transactions via your internet banking website, mobile banking app or e-commerce websites. Otherwise, use your mobile data instead.
●Do not save your card information in a third party browser.
●Monitor your online banking transaction history and credit card statement regularly for suspicious transactions and immediately report it to your bank if there is an unauthorized transaction, even if the amount is small.
●Report lost/ stolen credit /debit card immediately.

ONLINE BANKING SAFETY TIPS
Stay safe by using these tips for your intenet banking account.

(i) Protect your password
●Do not share your password with others.
●Do not reuse the same passsword for every account with another bank.
●Make your password unique, containing a mix of different character types: letters upper and lower case, numbers and special characters.
●Change your password regularly such as change it several times a year.
(ii) Kindly ensure you read the service requested for TAC carefully before you key in the TAC number.
(iii) Check your account and bank statement regularly
(iv)Update your browser
●The latest version of several browsers can detect and warn you of many phishing sites. If you see a phishing warning message on your browser, DO NOT proceed.
●For a safer internet banking experience, always update latest version of your internet browser.