With current attempts by fraudsters to access people’s bank accounts through text messages, emails, phone calls etc., it is important we are armed with the knowledge of the different ways our bank
accounts can be hacked by these fraudsters. This will help us better discern their gimmicks, avoid their traps and keep our money safe. Jumia Travel reveals 6 ways your bank account can be hacked.
You should be alert to suspicious emails, especially those that come with promotions from banks giving links you should click. Check the email ID or address and compare with the bank’s official email to see if anything is off (that is, to see if it’s an unofficial or copycat account). Most importantly, always call your bank to confirm any suspicious email before you reply.
Text messages about your account being blocked because of your BVN and instructing you to call another number to activate; phone calls from strange numbers (numbers different from your bank’s customer care numbers) asking you to disclose your bank’s details especially when you did not previously log a complaint with your bank about any issue related to what is being asked of you, amongst many others, should all be confirmed before responding to them.
Use your bank’s helpline and if you can, go to a nearest bank branch to confirm. The cost of not confirming is most times far more than the cost of confirming. Don’t be quick to share sensitive bank details through any means, no matter how genuine it seems.
If you use Internet Banking, it is advisable you edit your social media profiles, especially Facebook profiles. If you must leave your day and month of birth, delete your birth year, delete phone numbers you put there that are connected to your bank account and use ones that are not linked to your bank account. For your name, you don’t have to put your full name, especially the one your bank recognizes, on your profile. Your first and last name, or simply a username or nickname is fine.
For an added layer of security, check the online banking security options your bank provides such as free antivirus and browser security software. Ensure that your computer is protected by “firewall” software. Also, browsers (especially Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox) often come with built-in security features. Make sure they are activated.
accounts can be hacked by these fraudsters. This will help us better discern their gimmicks, avoid their traps and keep our money safe. Jumia Travel reveals 6 ways your bank account can be hacked.
- TRUSTING SUSPICIOUS EMAILS, TEXT MESSAGES AND PHONE CALLS
You should be alert to suspicious emails, especially those that come with promotions from banks giving links you should click. Check the email ID or address and compare with the bank’s official email to see if anything is off (that is, to see if it’s an unofficial or copycat account). Most importantly, always call your bank to confirm any suspicious email before you reply.
- TRUSTING SUSPICIOUS TEXT MESSAGES AND PHONE CALLS
Text messages about your account being blocked because of your BVN and instructing you to call another number to activate; phone calls from strange numbers (numbers different from your bank’s customer care numbers) asking you to disclose your bank’s details especially when you did not previously log a complaint with your bank about any issue related to what is being asked of you, amongst many others, should all be confirmed before responding to them.
Use your bank’s helpline and if you can, go to a nearest bank branch to confirm. The cost of not confirming is most times far more than the cost of confirming. Don’t be quick to share sensitive bank details through any means, no matter how genuine it seems.
- SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILES
If you use Internet Banking, it is advisable you edit your social media profiles, especially Facebook profiles. If you must leave your day and month of birth, delete your birth year, delete phone numbers you put there that are connected to your bank account and use ones that are not linked to your bank account. For your name, you don’t have to put your full name, especially the one your bank recognizes, on your profile. Your first and last name, or simply a username or nickname is fine.
- UNENCRYPTED WEBSITES
For an added layer of security, check the online banking security options your bank provides such as free antivirus and browser security software. Ensure that your computer is protected by “firewall” software. Also, browsers (especially Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox) often come with built-in security features. Make sure they are activated.
- WEAK PASSWORDS
- CHEQUE BOOKS AND ACCOUNT NUMBERS
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