A friendly reminder to all bank account holders: beware of “vishing” scams. If you often use your email or mobile phone connection in Dubai, be extra careful when answering messages or voice calls — as there’s a new breed of scammers who are out to get your personal data.
You may already be familiar with “phishing,” which is the practice of using emails to obtain personal data like usernames, passwords, and credit card information. Similarly, “vishing” (or voice phishing) has the same purpose; only this time, it’s done through voice calls.
“Vishing” Scams Out to Target Banking Customers
Recently, a bank in the UAE has reported that their customers have been getting phone calls from people claiming to be from “reputable” companies. Through deceptive talk, they attempt to obtain personal information from unsuspecting bank account holders.
Usually, the caller pretends to be a representative of a bank or a widely known brand. He or she would say something like: “you have just won a prize” or “you need to update your ATM” — all of which are meant to elicit private information from the recipient.
The caller would then ask for the customer’s details, such as:
- Credit/Debit Card Number
- Digital Banking Username & Password
- One-Time Password (OTP)
- Card Expiry Date
The caller would often sound professional and convincing, fooling even the most careful customers. In any case, it is important to know that banks would never ask customers for personal information, be it through an email message or a phone call.
Safety Reminders for Bank Account Holders
In order to avoid getting scammed, keep the following tips in mind:
- Do not share bank account information with an unverified source through email or phone.
- Do not reveal credit/debit card information through email or phone.
- Banks do not ask personal data from customers over the phone or through email.
- Do not share your credit/debit card pin when making payments in hotels, shops, or petrol pumps. Enter the pin yourself.
In times such as these, it is always a good idea to be aware of who we are talking to, whether via phone or email. Moreover, guard your personal information at all times! In addition, we recommend this guide to guide to banking, taxes, and wills in Dubai to all our readers.