Credit card scam on the rise

In today’s rapidly developing world with fast technology, not only are automated teller machines (ATM) being hacked, credit card scams have also become part and parcel of life which has caused banking securities to be questioned by many.

Despite the reminders and warnings issued by the relevant authorities, we hear tales of those who fall victim to such scams, almost every day.

The latest scam to hit town uses RHB Banking Group’s name.

Almost a victim

Roslinda Tajul Ariffin never thought that she will be a target of the credit card scam but that is exactly what happened to her after she almost lost her savings to it.

Relating the bitter incident, Roslinda said she received a call explaining that she had made a RM3,200 transaction using her RHB credit card when she has never had one in the first place.

“Shocked, I told the caller that I do not have an account with RHB and the caller asked for my IC number and name for verification.

“I was told that to date I have made RM6,320 worth of transaction and immediately, I asked for the card to be cancelled as it do not belong to me.

“However, I was told that I have to lodge a report to Bank Negara and was asked for all my banking details,” she told Astro AWANI.

To solve the problem quickly, Roslinda reveled all the required details. After that, she received a call from someone who claimed to be a Bank Negara officer.

“The officer told me that all my personal details will be protected under a policy but to activate it, I need to transfer all my savings into another savings account. I was asked to do it as fast as possible. I panicked and rushed to the nearest bank.

“While waiting for my number to be called, the officer, who was still on the phone line, told me that in case the bank officer asks me why I am transferring all my savings, just say it is because of an emergency.

“Suspecting something amiss, I didn’t perform the transaction. I later called Bank Negara and explained the situation to them. I was told that it is the latest modus operandi of scammers,” she said.

Roslinda is just one of the many who had fallen victim to such scam.

Another one of the scam’s target, said his wife almost became its victim.

“My wife received a call from a man claiming to be a RHB bank officer and was told that a card under her name had been used for a transaction of RM6,000.

“After being told that she had no account with RHB, she was asked to deposit all her savings account money into another account. My wife had been avoiding calls from the number ever since,” he said.

RHB working with police

RHB Banking Group in a statement said it is aware of the current telephone scams and is already working with the relevant authorities towards resolving the matter.

“We have also posted up alerts to remind our customers to be aware of such scams on our Facebook page as well as our website at www.rhbgroup.com

“In the meantime, we would like to reiterate to members of the public that the RHB Banking Group does not and will not request transfer of funds into any third party account(s).

“Members of the public should reject any such requests and immediately report such incidences to us at 603-92068118.”

Police’s advice

The policeconfirmed that in 2013, there were 23 credit card scam reports lodged in Kuala Lumpur involving RM178,000 while until Aug 2014, 14 such reports involving RM148,000 were made.

Bank Negara's advice

Bank Negara has also advised individuals with bank accounts not to disclose their personal identification numbers(PIN) and passwords to third parties.

"Banks or the relevant authority will NEVER request for such personal information through telephone calls.

"For more information on financial scam activities, visit http://fraudalert.bnm.gov.my."