If you fall for a phishing scam, don’t bank on being refunded

I NOTICED a column in your paper that deals with complaints. I was defrauded on December 10 of R4 000.

I received an e-mail which seemed to come from Standard Bank to check my awards.

Unfortunately, I gave my bank details and when I did not receive an SMS, I immediately thought something was wrong.

When I opened my statement, I found that R4 000 had been taken out of my account.

I immediately contacted the fraud division of Standard Bank and gave them all my details.

They stopped my credit card and have since issued me with a new one.

I received a phone call today to say they would not be refunding the money as it was my error.

I am a pensioner and have dealt with Standard Bank for about 40 years and am very disappointed in their attitude.

Please advise me if I have any recourse. I would be so grateful.

Joburg Georgie: The banks have issued numerous warnings about phishing and smishing (SMS fraud).

In April last year, Standard Bank SMSed its customers to warn them about fraudsters using Standard Bank UCount Rewards’ name in e-mails to gain access to users’ personal and banking information. Customers are told to visit a website where they are required to enter personal information.

The bank said it would never send an e-mail with a link or attachment requesting clients to verify log-in details, activate or reactive profiles or register for additional security features.

These e-mails must be ignored and deleted. Unfortunately, M Saunders fell for the scam – tragic, but it serves as a warning to others.