Beware of bogus calls, warns Association of Banks in Malaysia

"ABM would like to alert the public that such calls are fraudulent in nature," said the association, adding that it received enquiries from the public about the phone calls purportedly made using ABM's hotline number.

It stressed that financial institutions, including credit card issuers, would never request for sensitive personal banking information via telephone calls, short message services or emails.

"Members of the public must stay vigilant to protect their personal information at all times," it said in a statement.

The association advised anyone who had provided his or her personal information to such callers to immediately contact the bank concerned and lodge a police report.

He or she may also contact ABM for assistance, if required, it said.