For the past 2-3 years, I hardly see a week I don’t receive a message in my spam folder requiring me to ‘upgrade’. Meaning that I should enter some personal information such as my ATM Card number, expiry date, CCV, PIN and the rest to upgrade and reconfirm my online banking account details.
The funniest part is, I also receive this type of message from Banks I don’t operate with. The people behind this need your Card details to defraud you. Another confusing thing they do that makes most people fall into their trap is by using similar template with that of the bank and also send mails with the same email address of the bank so that customers will think the messages come from their bank directly.
Here is a format of one of their mails I received:
Valued Account Holder,
We are currently updating our online banking services,
and due to this upgrade we sincerely call your
attention to follow the below link and reconfirm your online
account details.Log in Here To Reconfirm Your Account
Online Banking
Security Advisor
Guaranty Trust Bank plc © 2014
Bad of them, they don’t even know their customer’s name. I followed the link to check it out, to my amazement, they provide columns to get the information they need to syphon the money from the card information provided to them.
You don’t have to follow their links again, you don’t have to reply them. Read the internet banking securities tips below for more enlightenment.
Check:
- How to Purchase Airtime on GTBank Internet Banking
- List of Websites That Accept Nigerian MasterCards and Visa Cards
- Best Debit Card to Shop Online from Nigeria
Internet Banking Security Tips
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Never login to your bank internet banking portal through a link from your email, even if the email appears to have been sent from Bank. Type the web address in yourself.
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The beginning of your internet banking page address will change from “http” to “https” when a secure connection is made.
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Subscribe to SMS alert to view each transaction in real time. If you receive an alert for a transaction you did not initiate or authorize contact your bank immediately.
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Fraudsters sometimes try to trick people into making a real payment by claiming “it’s just a test”, don’t fall for it.
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Make sure your contact details with the Bank are up-to-date so you can receive SMS alerts on your mobile devices.
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Never give anyone your login details in full either by email or over the phone. Banks will never request these from you.
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The login pages of our Internet Banking are secured through an encryption process, so a locked padlock or unbroken key symbol should appear in your browser window when accessing your bank Login page.
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Please, also note that banks, staff or agents will never call or send you an email to request any of your passwords, token generated codes, card details or Personal Identification Number (PIN).
The internet banking security tips above was sent to me by GTBank. I have made some changes in it to help others who also engages in internet banking activities stay alert.
Have you received this type of mail before? What security measure(s) do you adopt?
