MANILA - Bank of the Philippine Islands this week flagged a fake website while BDO Unibank noted an "extraordinary rise" in fraud attacks, underscoring the need for consumers to secure their accounts.
“Knowledge is your best defense from different scams designed to steal your identity,” Metrobank's credit card subsidiary said in an advisory to clients on Wednesday.
Here are some reminders from banks on how to increase security when transacting through ATMs and online channels.
CHECK THE URL
Banks use secure websites whose addresses start with https:// instead of https://.
Fraudsters also bait users into entering fake sites by concealing the URL in clickable links. A simple hover of the mouse can help spot this.
CHECK SPELLING, GRAMMAR
Phising attacks, or those designed to steal user information, sometimes come in the form of emails with poor spelling and grammar.
SECURE YOUR PASSWORD
Avoid easy-to-guess passwords such as birthdays. Passwords should also combine numbers with letters that are in upper and lower cases. Change passwords regularly.
BE MINDFUL OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS
Use ATMs in well-lit areas. Avoid machines that show signs of tampering.
REPORT LOSSES IMMEDIATELY
Report lost cards and phones with mobile banking apps installed immediately.
REVIEW YOUR TRANSACTIONS
Keep records of online transactions and review monthly bank statements to spot unauthorized transactions easily.
READ FINE PRINTS
When signing bank documents, read the agreement carefully. Don't sign blank papers and don't send a photo of your signature to anyone.
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