Banking group Absa on Monday warned customers to be on the lookout for a new scam involving credit cards.
The scam is a variation of the feared Nigerian ”419” scam, said spokesperson Japie Krige. It is suspected that the same syndicates were behind the new scam.
Fraudsters call credit-card holders to congratulate them for winning a trip for two. They ask for personal details, as well as details of dependants and credit-card numbers.
Once they have the credit-card numbers and other banking details of a person, the fraudsters buy various items via the internet, which is then charged to the credit-card holder’s account.
Krige could not say how many people have already fallen victim to the scam.
”At Absa, we have been lucky. A few of our customers gave out their details, but had second thoughts and phoned the bank to inform them. We could then close their accounts before any fraud was committed.”
Krige warned that the public should be wary of people who unexpectedly call them about something they have won and then ask for their banking details.
”They should investigate the legitimacy of such claims before divulging any personal or banking details,” he said. ”These people just want a person’s banking details and then they can do with that whatever they want to.”
People are naive and easily believe the stories criminals tell them.
”Be wary. Think. Why would your bank want your bank account number and credit-card number? They have it.” — Sapa