VANUATU RESIDENTS CAUTIONED AGAINST FINANCIAL FRAUD SCHEMES

As financial fraud continues to evolve and become increasingly sophisticated, residents in Vanuatu are being warned to be vigilant against scammers and fraudsters who seek to steal their personal information and banking details.

How Scammers Operate

• Scammers can make messages appear legitimate and urgent, using fake email addresses and domains that look similar to official organizations.
• They use tactics such as faking urgent scenarios to rush victims into responding and may offer deals that seem too good to be true.
• Messages may appear to come from well-known companies or government agencies.

How to Avoid Falling Prey

Verify Before Responding

• Stop for a moment before parting with any money or information.
• Verify the sender by contacting the organization on their official number if an email or text message is received.
• Do not click on any links or attachments sent unless confirmed as legitimate.

Secure Online Practices

• Never share your PIN or password with anyone.
• Use strong, unique passwords for each online account.
• Use a secure connection when entering card details for online payments.
• Never save login details with an auto-fill setting on any browser.

BRED Bank Vanuatu’s Security Measures

• Two-factor authentication
• Notifications or text alerts
• Encryption
• Firewalls
• Automatic time-outs

These measures ensure that only authorized users can access internet banking and make transactions.

Stay Vigilant and Report Suspicious Activity

• Remain vigilant and report any suspected fraudulent activity to the bank immediately.
• Do not feel pressured to comply with any urgent requests for personal details or payments.
• Never provide online password or PIN information to anyone, including bank staff.

Protect Yourself from Financial Fraud

By being aware of these common scams and taking steps to protect themselves, residents in Vanuatu can safeguard their banking information and prevent financial fraud.