Fraudulent e-mails are the most common avenue of online scams. A "spoofed" e-mail is one that purports to be from a reputable source in an attempt to trick you into divulging personal or account information, sending payment, or otherwise taking an action that will result in fraud.

 

These attacks are common because they  can be easily deployed on a massive scale. Even though the warning signs are there, "phishing" and scam e-mails continue to trick people. Some of these mails also request that customers update their account records by clicking on links to fake Internet banking and Interswitch websites.

 

Consolidated Bank Ghana will never ask a customer to provide, verify or update their personal, account or financial information like Passwords, Personal Identification Numbers (PIN), or ATM PIN, Credit or Debit Card numbers via pop-up windows, email or any other communication channels.

 

If you receive an email, phone call or SMS requesting such information, do not respond and never click on a link contained in a suspicious email. Do not attend to unsolicited emails or text messages.

 

 

Phishing involves the use of fraudulent email or browser pop-up messages that appear to be from a legitimate source. Most often, they use a company name, logo and/or graphics to convince customers. A typical scam consists of:

• Receipt of an email message stating you need to update or validate your account information.

• The message suggests a dreadful consequence, such as your online access expiring or being suspended, if you do not respond.

• Via a link in the message, it directs you to a Web site that looks legitimate.

The intent is to trick you into revealing personal information, such as your account number, User ID, Password or PIN so they can commit crimes of a monetary nature or identity theft. It may also be an attempt to deliver and install malicious code (malware) that can harm your computer or steal your credentials.

 

How to avoid falling for Phishing Scams

• Never open any email unless you know who the sender is. The very act of opening an email can infect your computer with malware. Be skeptical of every email you get, and never click on suspicious links, or download suspicious attachments. If in doubt, call the bank.

 

Vishing

Vishing, also known as voice phishing, is a mode of cyber attack whereby attackers use the phone to steal personal information of customers. In a vishing attack, the fraudulent actors use different tactics to trick or persuade you to provide your personal information, typically with the goal of accessing your financial accounts.

 

Pharming

Pharming occurs when you enter a Web address but you are redirected, without your consent or knowledge, to a site that looks similar to a legitimate site, however it is fraudulent. The intent of the fraudulent site is to capture confidential information.

 

Skimming

“Skimming“ is a method by which fraudulent actors capture the magnetic stripe data from your card and use it to create a new, counterfeit card. These counterfeit cards are then used to process unauthorized transactions against your account. Below are the main methods of skimming card information:

 

• A small device that appears to be a part of the machine is placed over the card insertion slot of an ATM,  Point-of-Sale (POS) device or other self-service kiosk. As you slide your card into the ATM, this device “reads” the data on the stripe and either stores it or transmits it to a nearby location.

 

• There is also a small, hidden camera that captures your keystrokes as you input your PIN into the machine.