Banks are warning the public of possible schemes for fraud and scam arising amid the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
In separate advisories, local banks said that fraudsters were asking the customers their one-time password (OTP) and other account details via mobile message and e-mail, among others.
“Cybercriminals are using the Covid-19 deferred payment programs of banks in text scams,” the Bank of Philippine Islands (BPI) said.
“BPI will never ask for your OTP and other personal information via SMS [short message sending], call, e-mail or other messaging app,” it added.
BPI advised customers to ignore phishing e-mail, never click embedded links attached to the mail and report to the bank should a customer receives one.
BDO Unibank Inc. told customers to stay vigilant amid scammers asking for account details and OTP, adding there were even individuals pretending to be representatives of the company.
“Do not entertain texts or calls asking for your account details and OTP, offering a 60-day loan payment extension. BDO will never ask for these details,” the bank said.
Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) also stressed that the bank will never request for account details via e-mail.
“Fraudsters are exploiting the spread of Covid-19 to facilitate various types of fraud and cybercrime,” RCBC said.
“Please continue to be vigilant with phishing e-mails received or suspicious e-mails with attachments that may contain malware,” it added.
Following the announcement of monthlong lockdown in Luzon, banks earlier ensured that they will remain operational to serve their customers, implementing business continuity plans.
The local banks’ physical branches are still open—for shortened working hours—but they have urged customers to transact via online digital platforms at home to lessen exposure to the virus.
The Bankers Association of the Philippines, meanwhile, earlier assured that banks will always make cash available through automated teller machines and digital platforms for payments of goods and services.