Scammers have resurfaced with text messages or phone calls to bank customers warning that their accounts have been blocked in order to gather their debit card information.
A dangerous scam ever, fraudsters also offer their services for replacing the bank cards with new ones, which they claim have special and distinct features.
As the new scam started doing the rounds, citizens and residents have reported about messages they have been receiving from unknown numbers informing them about their ATM card being blocked.
"Dear customer, your ATM card has been blocked because you did not have an update yet. If you want your ATM card to work properly, contact us at this number..." The sender also provides a phone number for contact.
John Mathew got a text message on his phone last week and immediately worried because this account was being "blocked for suspicious activity".
"It was terrifying to hear that my bank was going to be locked," said John, a marketing executive, adding, "I always used my card for almost everything."
Last week, the Directorate-General of Inquiries and Criminal Investigations Department of the Royal Oman Police arrested one person for violating the banking laws in the country.
According to the ROP, its research and investigation team monitored an advertisement on a social media platform that offered services for replacing bank cards and including additional features in return for a sum of charge.
In a poster in its twitter handle, the ROP warned the public to be wary of the fraudulent messages and asked them not to respond to suspicious advertisements on social media platforms and messages sent from unsolicited phone numbers.
"Fraudsters may steal data from your information and use it for purchases or cash withdrawal from your bank accounts. Beware of opening websites that are linked to an e-mail or text messages following a spate of scam messages doing the rounds in the Sultanate of Oman," the ROP warns.
Cardholders are asked to provide their personal card information — full card number, expiration date, security code on the back of the card, and their PIN. The fraudster then tells the customer they will receive a code via text message on their phone, and they are to give that code to the fraudster.
The Central Bank of Oman and other commercial banks continuously alert citizens and residents to be on their guard against such messages being sent via social networking sites.
"Dear Customer, the bank will never ask you for PIN, OTP, CVV, Card Number, account details, or password over the phone, SMS, WhatsApp, or a web link. Never share your banking details with anyone, and do not respond by calling unknown numbers," said an alert from a leading bank.
Cases of electronic fraud have been increasing globally over the past few years and often cause tremendous financial and psychological harm to both individuals and businesses alike.
The banks operating in Oman do not use social networking sites to contact individuals or businesses and remind customers always to protect their confidential information.
@samkuttyvp
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