A new phishing scam has surfaced, targeting Bank Windhoek. Clients are receiving a fraudulent email with the subject line ‘Internet banking message notice’, supposedly from Bank Windhoek.
The message, with the subject: ‘Important message notification,’ goes on to inform the customer that security machinery at Bank Windhoek has been upgraded and all customers are required to update their account information.
“Please note that in failure to update we shall have no liability if you are unable to use internet banking because of the failure of any machine, data processing system or transmission link or anything else beyond us or our agents reasonable control,” reads the message.
Bank Windhoek now warns all internet banking users to be vigilant and not react on bogus emails such as this one that threatens to stop their access to internet banking.
“No bank is allowed to ask for client information via email and thus such mails should always be treated with the utmost care and suspicion,” said the bank’s spokesman, Toivo Mvula.
“The best advice is to delete the emails without clicking on any links. If the email was legitimate the bank will contact the client to find out if the client has received the email,” he said.
To avoid being a victim of phishing scams do not react to emails, even if they look authentic. Remember, your bank may not solicit you for passwords, account numbers or other personal information.
If you get an email like this, go to your branch or call the Bank using the number in the telephone directory, and not the number provided in the email. Confirm with your bank if they have communicated with you regarding the specific issue.
Access the online banking website by only going through your bank’s main website, rather than clicking on links you might see in an email or in an instant message, or on another website.