Bank Islam reminds public to safeguard personal data against scam tactics

KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad (Bank Islam) has reminded the public to safeguard their personal and account details against scam tactics involving phishing or malware.

Phishing refers to the practice of sending emails or online messages from parties pretending to be valid companies to dupe users into disclosing their personal information, such as usernames, account numbers, debit and credit cards, and other vital details.

In a statement, Bank Islam reiterates that no third party is appointed to obtain customers’ information and account details.

It said any changes to the information and customers’ banking account could only be done on Bank Islam’s official platforms, including Bank Islam internet banking (www. bankislam.biz), GO by Bank Islam mobile banking application or GO Biz by Bank Islam and Be U by Bank Islam.

Downloads must be made via the official app store like Google Play Store and Apple App Store, it said, adding that customers are advised to refrain from storing their banking username and password on the website browser.

“Malware is a specially designed software to collect information and spy, control, and attack personal devices such as smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, and computers. Fraudsters will install the malware onto the devices through their developed applications.

“Often, it looks similar to the actual application to confuse the users. These fraudsters will then exploit stolen confidential information to manipulate the device settings, enabling access to applications, including vital platforms such as banking applications and emails,” said the statement.

It also advised customers to exercise self-control to safeguard themselves from phishing and malware scams, such as never disclosing personal and account details, including passwords, to third parties, always being vigilant on application requests for access, and never clicking on or downloading texts or emails with unverified or suspicious links.

It also urged customers to use two-factor authentication to guard the application’s safety, download and update antivirus applications to protect the device from viruses that can access applications and software, change passwords regularly to increase the protection of application access and software and monitor the account and statement to detect suspicious or unverified banking activity.

“We are taking proactive steps to ensure the safety of deposit accounts, secure customer transactions, and implement security supervision and surveillance that comply with industry standards,” said Bank Islam.

Customers are advised to contact Bank Islam contact centre via 03-2690 0900 or email contactcenter@bankislam.com.my if they suspect that their accounts have been compromised, or call the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) via 997.