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Don't be caught out by fraudsters - a few tips for you!
In recent years, there has been a marked increase in so-called "financial crime", where organised criminal gangs seek to exploit the world's financial systems to further their own illegal ends.
We have become aware that fraudsters are currently targeting customers of various banking organisations on a worldwide basis asking for personal information, which is subsequently used for fraudulent means.
Many of the victims are completely innocent individuals who have been hoodwinked into providing confidential details of their banking, investment or other accounts to fraudsters who then proceed to attempt to steal the victims' cash.
Standard Bank Offshore already goes to great lengths to preserve the safety and security of its clients' financial information, but there are steps you can take to further minimise the likelihood of your offshore accounts becoming involved in a fraud attempt. The following points should be emphasised:
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Do not respond to any requests for personal information, whether written or by telephone, which you believe we should already know. It is fairly easy for fraudsters to construct letters, which appear to have come from banking or financial institutions.
These letters will often require you to complete an official-looking declaration or similar form requesting details of your accounts including account numbers and personal information such as your date of birth or place of work, mothers maiden name etc. Fraudsters are very keen to obtain this information, as this could enable them to pass themselves off as you when calling your bank.
Often you are asked to fax back these details to a number that will not be the fax number of the bank. Once you respond to this request, the fraudster has your signature and enough personal details to attempt withdrawing funds from your account.
Do not fax back personal information to an unknown fax number, if you are in any doubt telephone the bank using the telephone number you already hold to check the request and the fax number quoted are genuine.
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Similarly, treat any unexpected telephone calls purporting to come from us as being potentially suspicious.
If you are in any doubt, telephone us back using the telephone number you already hold.
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Check the security of your arrangements for receiving and storing mail and be aware when opening your mail. For example:
- Could your bank statement or other documents have been intercepted or opened before you received it?
- Could a previous statement fall into the wrong hands?
Don't be caught out by phishing - a few tips for you!
Please click here for further information.
REMEMBER if at any time you have a suspicion about a request for information about your offshore accounts, or if you feel you may have been an unwitting victim to this type of fraud, you should contact us immediately.
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