300 complaints on bank identity thefts since Jan - LKPJ

The Crime Prevention Awareness Board (LKPJ) received 300 complaints involving losses of more than RM1 million related to local bank identity thefts, in the first half of this year.

The board president Datuk Seri Dr Saharuddin Awang Yahya said most victims were duped through emails which used the banks' name and logo.

"They would receive fraudulent emails asking them to update their accounts and end up providing their personal data including passwords," he told reporters here today.

He advised that such scams could be prevented if people were more careful and scrutinised their emails before responding.

"Don't just click on any internet links in emails which claim to be from the bank. Call the bank directly and verify it first," he said.