Bank Negara cautions public of bogus emails using its name

Screen shot of bogus email purportedly from BNM seeking details

KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has cautioned the public on bogus emails using the central bank's name that purportedly requires the recipient to click and download an attachment. 

BNM informed the public to ignore these emails entitled “Security Verification” and not to download the attachment. 

The central bank explained how the fraudsters would seek to deceive the victims.

Firstly, the intended victims receive emails entitled “Security Verification” purportedly from BNM informing them that there is an incoming payment for their account. The victims are required to complete security verification by downloading the attachment provided. 

Secondly, once the person clicks/downloads on the link provided in the attachment, they would then be directed to a fake website. 

The fake website will request the person to disclose personal financial details such as credit or debit cards details including card verification value (CVV) or other personal identification numbers (PIN).

“Financial institutions including credit card issuers and BNM and all banking institutions will never request for personal banking information when contacting customers, be it via telephone calls, SMS or emails,” it said.

BNM said the public should take the following preventive measures:-

1. Use web browsers that are up-to-date with built-in phishing filters.

2. Do not trust emails, calls or SMS claiming cash wins, incoming fund transfers/payments or refunds and requests for personal banking information.

3. Contact your respective banks or contact the Associations of Banks in Malaysia (ABM) toll-free service  “ABMConnect”at 1-300-88-9980 when in doubt of the email, SMS or calls.