THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
As the Nigerian banking industry witnesses increased regulatory scrutiny due to the impact of COVID-19, bank customers have not been spared from the whims of fraudsters.
Access Bank Plc has once again implored customers to be vigilant over rising cases of fraud, urging customers to remain vigilant and beware of the common tricks used by fraudsters to rob them of their monies.
“Over the last few months, the number of reported fraud cases has spiked considerably. This is not unexpected as the current economic hardships experienced due to COVID-19 has caused many to be vulnerable. However, this trend has become very disturbing, while we urge customers to become more aware of the tactics employed by fraudsters. Access Bank will continue to educate customers on how to avoid falling victims as well as deploy resources to ensure the security of customers funds,” the bank’s Executive Director, Retail Banking, Victor Etuokwu, said.
“The Bank has identified smishing, phishing, social engineering, and identity theft as the most common methods used by fraudsters. To aid the fight against this common enemy, we have put more power in the hands of our customers, through the *901*911# USSD code. We have provided a platform through which customers can immediately deactivate their USSD profile by dialling *901*911# from any phone in the event their mobile devices get lost or stolen,” he continued.
Access Bank said the fraudsters operate like bank representatives and use government palliatives to bait customers with a view to getting their BVNs and other key details.
“Access Bank is imploring its customers to be wary of any message, demanding their personal or bank details,” Etuokwu said.
READ ALSO Ecobank launches card-less ATMs in Nigeria
“Customers must remember that the Bank will never ask for their BVN, full card PAN, PIN, mobile app activation code, OTP or password as it is readily available to the Bank via its database.
“Any call, email and text message, claiming to be from Access Bank demanding for any of these details is certainly a scam.”
Access Bank has always maintained a strong anti-fraud awareness as part of its responsibility to protect the interest of its customers, he said.
The Bank has dedicated pages on its official website that constantly updates customers on all the ways in which fraudsters can swindle them.
To report any suspected fraud case, customers are advised to call 01-2701005 or send an email to contactcenter@accessbankpls.com.
Kola Tella
READ ALSO Electronic banking fraud in Nigeria: What you should know
