Financial Crime World

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Bank Fraud Alert: Don’t Share Your Account Number with Strangers

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A recent case highlights the importance of being cautious when dealing with suspicious calls claiming to be from your bank. A resident in the UAE received a call from someone claiming to be from Emirates NBD, asking for his account number to “verify” it was his.

However, the victim refused to share the information, citing concerns about sharing personal banking details with strangers. The fraudster threatened to close the account and hung up the phone.

This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat of bank fraud in the UAE. According to Emirates NBD’s website, customers should be wary of suspicious calls claiming to be from the bank or other organizations.

UAE Central Bank Warns of Fraud

The UAE Central Bank has also issued warnings about fraudulent schemes involving identity theft and phishing attacks. Scammers may use fake emails, faxes, or websites to trick victims into revealing sensitive information.

The regulator advises customers to verify the authenticity of any emails or documents claiming to be from the central bank and to be cautious when receiving unsolicited requests for personal information.

Experts Offer Safety Tips

Nisreen Sabri, head of fraud management at HSBC UAE, stressed that legitimate organizations will never ask for personal account details. She advised customers not to share sensitive information and to block unwanted calls, texts, and emails.

Sabri also warned against clicking on links or numbers in unexpected messages and urged customers to take their time when making financial decisions.

Additional Safety Measures

To prevent falling victim to banking fraud, experts recommend:

  • Not clicking on links in suspicious emails
  • Hovering over links to verify the website URL
  • Looking out for typos in email subject lines and bodies
  • Installing trusted antivirus software
  • Using complex and unique passwords for each bank account and updating them regularly

Report Suspicious Activity

If you suspect a fraudulent call or email, report it to the authorities immediately. In the UAE, customers can file a complaint with the Dubai Police eCrime website, Abu Dhabi Police Aman service, or nearest police station.

Stay safe from bank fraud by following these simple tips:

  • Don’t share personal or financial information
  • Don’t use links or numbers in unexpected messages
  • Enable two-factor authentication to access your bank account
  • Only visit websites or dial numbers you know are trustworthy
  • Block unwanted calls, texts, and emails
  • Take your time to make a decision
  • Stop and talk to someone you trust

By being aware of these threats and taking the necessary precautions, you can protect yourself from falling victim to bank fraud.