Access Bank Warns Customers Against Falling Victim

Access Bank Plc has joined the number of banks advising customers to stay vigilant amid rising cyberfrauds.

Mr. Victor Etuokwu, the Executive Director, Retail Banking, Access Bank, made the call on Friday in a statement titled “Be fraud smart – Access Bank urges customers.”

Etuokwu said the banking sector has witnessed surged in fraud cases in recent months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He, however, said bank customers had not been spared from these attacks.

He advised bank customers to take more responsibility in protecting their funds and reiterated the bank’s commitment to provide the necessary information needed to identify and fend off fraudsters.

He said, “Over the last few months, the number of reported fraud cases has spiked considerably. This is not unexpected as the current economic hardships experienced due to COVID-19 has caused many to be vulnerable.

“However, this trend has become very disturbing, while we urge customers to become more aware of the tactics employed by fraudsters.

“Access Bank will continue to educate customers on how to avoid falling victims as well as deploy resources to ensure the security of customers’ funds.”

According to him, Access Bank had identified smishing, phishing, social engineering, and identity theft as the most common methods used by fraudsters.

He said, “To aid the fight against this common enemy, we have put more power in the hands of our customers, through the *901*911# USSD code.

“We have provided a platform through which customers can immediately deactivate their USSD profile by dialling *901*911# from any phone in the event their mobile devices get lost or stolen.” He said through the years, Access Bank had remained committed to educating its customers, informing and protecting them from fraudsters.”