NewStats: 3,263,536 , 8,180,463 topics. Date: Friday, 06 June 2025 at 11:50 AM 474z6x

6 Important Things To Do To Protect Your Bank From Scam

In April this year, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) issued a fraud alert to the Nigerian public about the alarming rate of cybercrime activities in the country. Since COVID-19 happened, cybercriminals have been on the rampage, defrauding citizens, stealing sensitive information, and gaining unauthorised access to electronic gadgets by all means necessary to them.

Below are six simple but useful ways gathered by DAILY TIMES that can help you secure your bank and make it impregnable for scammers.

1) Never disclose sensitive information to anyone over the phone, via SMS, email, or in person.

Banks and various platforms are not oblivious of these, hence, the introduction of two-step verification to provide multiple channels of ing your identity in case scammers gain access to one of the multiple access. Amidst all these, they still subtly masquerade themselves in appealing forms to retrieve sensitive details from you via phone calls, SMS, E-mail, or even in person.

The rule is simple. Never reveal your card number, OTP, Pin, or to anyone over the phone, via SMS, email, or in person. Do not do this, even when the person requesting such details claim to be from your bank’s headquarters. Also, desist from clicking suspicious links or ing attachments and apps from unknown sources.

Your bank will never call you with ‘080, 070, 090, etc’ kind of number. Also, they’ll never ask you for your ATM pin or ask you to disclose any information you just received via SMS or whatever. Most banks in Nigeria communicate via email.

2) Avoid the use of unsecured internet access

Do not perform sensitive financial transactions using public wifi or networks you do not know the source. Do not let your love for free things expose you to risks. Instead, use a secure connection whenever you perform online transactions. Scammers take advantage of this and tap into your electronic device to illegally access sensitive information.

3) Inspect the ATM machine

Another common way scammers now use to gain access into your bank is by installing a ‘skimmer’ over the card reader in the ATM. A skimmer captures the data on your card when you place it into the machine. The scammers then use that data to create a dummy card, which can also be used to access your .

Skimmers are not always obvious as they are built to blend in with ATMs but you need to be actively looking for them. So before you place your card into the card reader, always check the ATM for any signs of tampering, including scratches and marks; anything that looks out of place, for instance, different coloured plastic around the card slot; anything that moves when it’s pushed (ATMs are built well and don’t usually have loose parts).

If you notice anything suspicious, report it to the financial institution that owns the ATM and use another machine. Skimmers don’t restrict the ATM from dispensing cash. Its aim is to collect your card details.

4) Keep your card out of the sight of unfamiliar/suspicious faces

Not all card-related scams happen at the ATM. Another common place for scammers to steal your card information is at places you go to chill out or have unfamiliar faces like a restaurant or shop. This could involve a waiter subtly taking your card away from your table to create a dummy card. Alternatively, a store attendant may skim your details while it’s behind their desk. Never let anyone take your card out of your sight.

DISCLAIMER: Family can also gain access to your bank s without your permission. So, keep an eye on them and your card too.

5) Check your balance regularly

Check your balance regularly. Go through your transactions and make sure your balance correlates with what you’ve received and withdrawn. If you operate a t , let your partner do the same. Banks are usually quite effective at detecting suspicious activity on their customers’ s. But they’re not always perfect. This will limit the possibility of your being compromised. If you ever notice anything suspicious call your bank or financial institution immediately.

6) Stay vigilant

Finally, scammers rely on targeting their victims when they’re distracted or when they least expect it. For that reason, many bank card breaches happen in crowded places (such as busy malls), when we’re enjoying ourselves (such as bars and restaurants) or when we’re out of our comfort zone (such as when we’re overseas).

For that reason, you should always be especially cautious when you’re at your most vulnerable. If you notice fraudulent activity on your bank , notify your financial institution immediately so that your card can be put on hold or canceled.

SOURCE

Thanks.
The likes of Access Bank should upgrade and stop using normal phone numbers to call customers. They called the other day and I mistook them for 419iers being that these guys have been my regulars. But I always make sure I burn their call cards before asking dem to embrace Jesus Christ real quick and good.

Modified:
Wow FTC,
I dedicate this prize to Righteousness89. You're doing a great job here and I really wish to be like you someday. Keep on it, God's Evangelist.

that Atm own weak me hoo do it happen in naija

Thanks op

Damnnnnn niggarr
Isoright

Na kolo sure ...
After all, no frequent atm charges, transaction fees and atm maintenance fees..

Please Access Bank reverse my money ooo!!!

Nice tips,
Always be vigilant, never trust anybody in Nigeria

Thanks for these tips

As my balance take be now eh, anybody wey wan scam me

through the fit end up dropping small thing for me once e see the

balance.


Na red e be so!!!

Quire informative, just learned of the skimmer part tho.

BTW,
Selling cheap!!
UK used dell latitude E5410
4gb RAM
Intel corei3 - 45k
Intel corei5- 50k

The best way to protect your money from scammers is to buy crypto currency and then transfer it to a cold wallet. I converted all my savings to bitcoin back in 2015 and have been doing so every time I'm paid. Not only has the value gone off the roof, not a single kobo has been lost to scammers or robbers.

Useful

Free Hushpuppy!!!

EveryBody Now Is Claiming Yahoo Boy. Even Those That Know Nothing About Computers Want To Yahoo.
Crime Doesn't Pay

Check balance always Bawo? Person no go mad so?

On point with the economic hardships ravaging the country now, no thanks to covid19 and lockdown Vigilant on Bank transactions should be our top priority.

Bank self dey dupe u and Pray say bank get ur tym wen dem even temper with ur our system na rubbish, meanwhile I disable my ATM because d plenty wayo Wey banks dey do me self.

Lol

Thanks op

okay

Naxxxo

Let me start by saying this your can not be hacked using ur BVN. Ur BVN is totally safe in public domain...

fastlane84:
that Atm own weak me hoo do it happen in naija

May be OP see am for Google

Slawormir:
Damnnnnn niggarr
Isoright

Good content

MajorOvakporaye:
Free Hushpuppy!!!

DM for more info on how to protect your Facebook bank and WhatsApp