The Qatar Central Bank stressed the importance of bank customers maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of their personal and banking data, and avoiding opening any suspicious links received via SMS text messages, noting that text messages sent by banks operating in the country do not include any electronic links.
The Central Bank published a post on its official account on the X platform urging bank customers to contact the bank they deal with if they receive any SMS text message that includes an electronic link asking them to disclose any information related to their personal and banking data.
The Qatar Central Bank renewed its warnings to individuals in Qatar against answering unknown international calls, and to be cautious of suspicious local communications, calling on everyone to avoid sharing personal information over the phone. The Central Bank said that if you do not share it with others, do not share it online, and do not share your financial information, such as your credit card data or one-time password (OTP).
The Central Bank added, “If you believe that the call is fraudulent, contact the party from which the call was claimed, and when you lose your bank card, stop it immediately through the bank’s call centers or mobile application.”
Increase the number of calls
For his part, a responsible banking source confirmed that the current period is witnessing an increase in the number of anonymous calls and text messages asking bank account holders to update banking information and data, under the pretext of stopping the bank account, stopping the use of the credit card or ATM card, or the presence of a shipment of orders under the person’s name and using his data. Banking for the incoming shipment.
The official added that the banks sent urgent text messages to all customers stressing the need not to respond to any phone call or text messages requesting banking information from them for the purposes of updating data, whether directly or through links.
He explained that banks never send any messages containing links to update data, as updating is done exclusively via mobile phone, Internet banking, or through bank branches. The official confirmed that banks asked customers to report any suspicious activity by calling the bank customer’s hotline.
The official confirmed that banks asked bank account holders to carefully check when receiving a text message or via social media platforms that contains an electronic link. They also asked customers to review the approved website or application of the service provider to ensure the validity of the transaction, and warned them against relying on the received link, and entering… Websites that require them to pay certain fees.
The banks stressed that when receiving the one-time verification code (OTP), you must always confirm the amount and the name of the merchant before completing the transaction.
The official revealed that despite the rise in the phenomenon of electronic fraud by fraudulent gangs, the response to it is almost non-existent due to the campaigns carried out by the state to raise awareness of individuals and increase their knowledge of the fraudulent methods carried out by these international gangs, the latest of which is the “We are all aware” campaign.
Pretending to be legitimate
For its part, the Qatar Central Bank explained that electronic fraud is the process of requesting information by pretending to be a legitimate source. Electronic fraud appears when you respond to an e-mail asking you to mention your private information, an attached file, or a link in the e-mail. You must take the following information into consideration before providing it to others.
ID number, bank account number – full name – place of work – credit card number – credit limit – number of cards you own – information about the last banking transaction you performed.
Qatar Central requires prevention of fraudulent operations by updating the computer periodically, and updating the electronic browser and all its accompanying functions periodically.
Download and update firewall programs, anti-spam programs, anti-virus programs, and anti-spyware programs to protect your device.
Never print your private and confidential information on shared or public devices.
Review your banking transactions periodically. If you suspect any unusual transaction in your account, contact the bank immediately.
Change your email and online banking account passwords periodically, and do not respond to emails with personal information.
Qatar Central Bank also asked not to respond to any e-mail or call requesting private personal information or banking information such as credit card number, bank account number, ID number, name, or phone number.
Also, verify the caller’s identity before providing any of your personal information, immediately make a phone call to the call center, and do not open or download email attachments unless you expect them.
Avoid clicking on links that come via email unless you expect them to come as password change links. In addition to printing the bank’s website in the browser itself, if you want to browse the bank’s website.
Qatar Central Bank called on bank customers and account holders to investigate and avoid responding to any e-mail with the following specifications:
– If it contains spelling and linguistic errors.
– If you are asked for personal information.
-If he fabricates a very important situation.
– If it does not contain the bank’s logo, signature and contact information
– Do not respond to any email or call asking you for the password or PIN for your bank account.