Only a week and a half into 2022 and several scams have already been reported to Standard Bank: “Fear not, Standard Bank is here to help you to be vigilant, #StayAlert,” said the head of marketing and branding at the bank Magreth Mengo.
“As we enter the new year, we unfortunately still have the problem of dealing with scammers and fraudulent messages. We would have loved to have left that in 2021, but alas it seems that it continues to follow us all into 2022,” she stressed.
Mengo stated the first scam is an email from stdbank.ealerts@standardbank.com.na
which has an attachment that prompts clients to enter their banking login information. The email states: “the following payment of N$(amount) has been made to your account on the (date). Please review the attachment.”
The bank will never ask you for login information as the information is already on the bank’s system, she said.
The second scam is falsified bank documents. These include confirmation of bank account letters and bank guarantees or letters of credit. She said they might seem legitimate but even if they are, it never hurts to double-check the authenticity through the bank, before relying on such documents.
Mengo outlined some steps customers can follow to stay alert:
1. Look out for things such as spelling mistakes, grammar, font, or contradictions in the content of the document.
2. Do not only rely on the email address domain (e.g., “@standardbank.com.na”), to determine the authenticity of the email.
3. Secure your personal computer by using adequate licensed anti-virus and firewall software.
4. If you have not participated in any contest or not expecting to receive funds, rather ignore emails as such. If it is too good to be true, then it probably is not.
5. Do not respond to or click on any links sent via emails, which require you to input your confidential internet banking details.
6. When in doubt, contact your relationship manager, the relevant branch or the bank’s Customer Care Centre, before divulging confidential information.
7. Avoid using public WI-FI networks and public computers for banking transactions.
“Standard Bank will never ask clients to divulge their passwords, personal banking details or card details via phone or an email, hence do not fall victim to fraudsters masquerading as a bank personnel,” she cautioned.
Mengo added there are always scams this time of year because banks normally let their guard down this time: “Try your best to stay vigilant and you can never be too hyper-vigilant when it comes to your banking. If something seems off, then contact us for peace of mind. Rather be sure, then unsure and sorry”.
In circumstances wherein a customer is of the opinion that they have been a victim to any of these scams, Mengo advised they contact their respective relationship managers or branch and provide all the necessary details.
She further said this should be followed by opening a criminal case with the Namibian police, a copy of which should be provided to the bank.
“Quick actions by the customer increase the possibility of the recovery of the funds, especially if the complaint is filed on the same day, however, such recovery is not always guaranteed. We continuously update our systems to stay ahead of criminal activities and urge customers to stay vigilant as we partner in the fight against financial crime,” she warned.