You’re probably aware of awful fraud scams doing the rounds, especially lately.
However, I wish to inform locals of my personal trip down that rotten path.
Calls to cellphone come through, saying they are the bank fraud department and warning that they are withholding huge payments from one’s card account, which the bank wishes to confirm.
The last four digits of one’s card is declared, along with your name and date of birth.
Having verified no very large purchases from one’s account, they then confirm the debits will be reversed and will message you requiring confirmation.
Having done so many times and noticing that the caller is from a cellphone, the warning flag went up.
Once advising the caller that the bank manager will be informed to verify the card has been scammed, calls ceased.
My bank manager confirmed that no calls from bank staff are made via cellphones and all the messages were fraudulent.
I was fortunate to have suspected this and never released my date of birth or pin number.
The bank confirmed this practise is escalating, particularly with retired or elderly persons, and many had been fraudulently abused.
Rather have these calls blocked. Check your bank details with your branch and be very careful never to divulge personal information.
According to security sources, the ‘tap and go’ payment facility is a risk as hackers have electronic equipment nearby which provide personal details from the card machine.
Here’s hoping these painful episodes experienced by the elderly who have paid their society dues over the years will cease.
CLOSE CALL
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