Bank clients are also responsible for keeping their online bank details and transactions safe from cyberattacks.
Metrobank supports the call to protect the cyberspace by ensuring security controls are in place, by promoting community awareness, by educating customers, and by training employees to ensure that they are equipped with the right tools and knowledge to help combat fraudulent activities.
The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a dramatic increase in digital transactions last year, giving rise to cybercrimes and fraud cases involving various ways of scamming. Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility since phishers do not attack banks but the customers themselves. Banks have established controls to protect accounts however, scammers have devised various ways to directly attack unknowing clients through social engineering.
Last year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas ordered financial institutions to reinforce their information technology systems to better protect their institutions and clients from cyberattacks, which is growing alongside the increase in digital transactions during the ongoing pandemic.
Strengthening data protection is in line with BSP’s efforts to boost the regulated institutions’ cyber resilience by establishing an environment conducive to digital innovation and employing robust cybersecurity measures and consumer protection mechanisms.
Data privacy
Lauded as one of the Outstanding Personal Information Controllers of 2021 in the Private Sector category by the National Privacy Commission, Metrobank values the data privacy of its clients. As part of the bank’s educational drive, constant reminders are sent out to their clients on how they can keep their personal and financial data safe and secure. As consumers, it is important that we also educate and arm ourselves with data protection and fraud awareness know-hows.
Given this, clients should be aware of their responsibility to ensure the safety of their bank accounts. This means that clients should keep login information and OTPs (One-Time Passwords), PINs (Personal Identification Numbers), account information, card numbers and CVV(Card Verification Value) from falling into the hands of phishers.
Here are some security tips from Metrobank to help protect your bank account:
- Do not disclose personal and bank information, such as birthday, mother’s maiden name, log in name and password, etc. to anyone.
- View your account history regularly to check for any unauthorized transactions.
- Never let your card out of your sight when making payments. You can cover the CVV behind your card with an opaque tape to avoid exposing it to other people’s view.
- Do not leave computers unattended when logged into your bank account. Always remember to log-off after completing your transactions. Clear your memory cache and all transaction history after logging out.
- Protect your personal computer from hackers, viruses and malicious programs by
keeping your computer updated with the latest operating system and security software every time a verified update is available. Always run a scan.
- Always make sure that you use the official and secure website for your online transactions.
Validate all messages
Always remember that Metrobank will not initiate calls, emails or chats to ask for your bank details. When in doubt, always validate these messages by sending a message via Metrobank’s official Facebook Messenger or @Metrobank Twitter account.
Whether you’re an individual or an organization who wants to contribute to the fight against fraud, Metrobank encourages the public to participate in the Scam Proof platform (https://www.scamproof.ph/), an industry wide initiative by the Philippine banking industry to promote fraud awareness and curtail financial fraud.
Join Metrobank in the fight against fraud. For suspected fraud, call the Metrobank Contact Center at (02) 88-700-700, 1-800-1888-5775, or email us at customercare@metrobank.com.ph using “Report Possible Fraud” as subject. Visit https://metrobank.com.ph/learn/fight-fraud for more fraud tips, news and advisories.