SBP warns bank customers against fraudsters
RECORDER REPORT
KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has launched a helpline for banks’ customers and warned the people against fraudsters calling for personal information citing situation under COVID-19.
The SBP has taken additional measures to facilitate bank customers that are faced with extraordinary challenges arising out of COVID-19 situation in the country. Now the customers of banks of approach the SBP through its helpline service in case their queries or complaints are not being responded by banks.
The SBP also encourages public to use digital payment services as much as possible to help banks providing their services with minimal staff to ensure their safety.
The SBP has also taken notice of phone calls to banks’ customers by fraudsters seeking personal information taking advantage of the current conditions. Following are the details of measures taken.
To facilitate banking consumers, SBP has advised all banks to ensure that their call centers/helpline are available 24/7 for instant customer support and queries or lodging complaints.
In case complainants do not get an appropriate response from banks, they may approach SBP helpline at 021-111-727-273, which will remain available during office hours. To cater to the needs of the public for facilitation and guidance, SBP has enhanced its helpline capacity by deploying more agents at its call center.
The SBP has also asked general public to take appropriate safety measures in the context of the coronavirus and use alternate delivery channels where possible. The SBP recognized that the employees of banks and other financial institutions are providing services amid the difficult working conditions arising due to COVID-19.
For the protection of bank employees and customers, work place safety and to meet the operational challenges in serving the bank customers, banks have been advised to implement guidelines issued by World Health Organization, the Government of Pakistan and the Provincial Governments in letter and spirit.
Nevertheless, bank employees and customers still facing difficulties or having concerns over arrangements may bring this to the notice of SBP. For this purpose, queries, concerns, complaints may be emailed to SBP at [email protected].
The SBP has also asked banks’ customers to beware of fraudsters calling to collect personal information and advised the general public not to disclose or share any personal information about their bank accounts or credit/debit cards including CNIC number, debit or credit card number, passwords, PINs and one-time password (OTP), etc. on incoming phone calls or messages.
It has been brought to the notice of SBP that fraudsters, imitating as officials of SBP, bank or any other government agency, have been attempting to seek personal information from the public on the Pretext of verification of account due to emergency conditions under COVID-19 pandemic.
The SBP has reiterated that, banks or any other agency are not collecting information from banking customers regarding their bank accounts or cards. SBP never asks for any personal information directly from bank customers.
The general public has been advised again not to disclose personal information on incoming calls. Details of any such call or message received by the public may also be reported to SBP Helpline at 021-111-727-273 or emailed at [email protected].
