ABK sheds light on safe and secure banking
KUWAIT: Al-Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) continues its efforts in raising awareness on safe and secure banking in line with Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) and Kuwait Banking Association’s (KBA) nation-wide awareness campaign, ‘Let’s Be Aware’.
The campaign reminds customers that banks never request personal details such as online credentials and passwords, PIN or the threedigit CVV number. Furthermore, the year-long campaign urges consumers to remain alert about fraudulent emails, links, website or calls to protect themselves against potential fraud. From identity theft, phishing, vishing, skimming, to a host of malpractices at the ATMs, there are now several ways by which a customer can be deceived. The following are a few safe banking precautions every customer should adopt:
• Do not store any confidential information such as: debit card numbers, credit card numbers, or personal identification numbers on a mobile phone. Do not write your password on the card or share it with anyone. This also applies to the One Time Password (OTP).
Log out of the application or the bank’s website as soon as you complete the transaction.
Johair Marafi, ABK’s Acting General Manager Retail Banking said: “As consumers shift to digital payments, the threat of fraud also increases, with a lot of out-of-pattern activity. The latest subject in the ‘Let’s Be Aware’ campaign is well-timed and a vital initiative, sensitizing customers to potential cyber-attacks by fraudsters, urging them to be alert and vigilant while conducting banking transactions online. ABK has always worked hard in raising consumer awareness regarding e-fraud and the various precautions our customers should take to protect their personal data. CBK and KBA’s critical work with this campaign takes these efforts to a whole new level and we are excited about what it can accomplish.”
The COVID-19 outbreak has further accelerated card-payments and boosted the adoption of e-commerce and digital payments. To curb the spread of COVID-19, consumers are advised to carry out online transactions wherever possible, for their daily requirements.
The ‘Let’s Be Aware’ campaign brings together regulators and financial service providers in Kuwait, spearheading a joint effort to raise consumer awareness of banking products and services as well as other crucial topics such as effective bank card usage, guidance on borrowing, complaints and escalation methods, fraud management, cybersecurity protocols, and more.