This archive report was first published on 9 August 2019.
Protecting Your Mobile Money from Scammers ¶
With the rise of digitization, our lives have become easier, and we can now send money to anyone at any time, anywhere. However, this convenience has also made us vulnerable to fraudsters and scams. Losing your personal information can cost you dearly financially and give criminals leeway to misuse your identity.
According to a report published on August 9, 2019, there are some red flags to look out for before divulging your information. For example, if you are an Equity Bank customer, be cautious of messages from unofficial numbers claiming to be sending messages on behalf of Equitel or Equity Bank.
Some common scams include SMS scams, where fraudsters claim to be from Equitel asking for confirmation of receipt of funds or warning users that their accounts have been compromised. Network scams involve fraudsters pretending to be Equitel/Equity Bank staff and visiting users to obtain their personal information. False promotions are also used by fraudsters to defraud people when companies are rewarding their customers through marketing promotions.
To stay safe, avoid participating in any promotions that are not licensed or not advertised by Equitel or Equity Bank. Be cautious if a caller asks for any personal details like PIN, ID number, bank details, or any personal details over the phone. Equity Bank or Equitel staff would never ask for these details.
Steps to take when you notice suspicious activity include forwarding the fraudulent message for free to 333, calling 100 from your Equitel line for free, calling 0763 063 000 from any other mobile network, and reporting them at your nearest Equity Bank branch, Equity Agent, or Police Station.
Most importantly, when you spot any suspicious activity, report to your nearest Equity Branch, Equity Bank Agent, or on any of their social media channels on Facebook and Twitter or email.
