By Staff Reporter
WINDHOEK – In an effort to continuously create awareness of ongoing scams in the country, the Bankers Association of Namibia (BAN) this week warned that the change of banking details, or letterhead scam, is still being perpetrated by unscrupulous individuals or syndicates.
“This week we would like make fellow Namibians aware of the ‘change of banking details/ letterhead scam,” said Ian Leyenaar, Chairman of the Bankers Association of Namibia. “This is a letter sent or circulated to companies, supposedly from a supplier or debtor, indicating that they have changed their banking details. The new banking details are conveniently provided and some of the creditors would then make a payment to this newly provided account, only to find out at a later stage – when the legitimate supplier queries why no payment has been made – that the bank details provided was a scam.
“This has happened to numerous companies over the years and more often than not the money is almost immediately withdrawn and lost forever”, explained Leyenaar.
Leyenaar, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of FNB Namibia, advised that customers and businesses should never make any payments after receipt of new banking details.
“Please verify all such information with your supplier or debtor, or with the bank, before any payments are made”, added Leyenaar.
Last week BAN concentrated on the prize-and-lottery scam, which is advance fee fraud, whereby people are led to believe they have won a huge prize, but can only collect if they pay for legal and administrative duties first.