QuickCheck: Are scammers targeting Lembaga Tabung Haji depositors?

RECENTLY, claims have been made that scammers are now targeting Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) depositors through tactics that include phone calls about money transfers. Is this true?

VERDICT:

TRUE

In a statement on Tuesday (April 12), TH acting operations executive director Mohamad Ameen Abdul Wahab said the fund had never contacted depositors for any matters pertaining to money transfers.

He said TH advises its depositors to be wary of scammers' tactics, including phone calls regarding money transfers.

"TH takes note of the statement by the Royal Malaysia Police regarding the new tactics of Macau scam syndicates involving the withdrawal of money from TH depositors' accounts which are linked to conventional bank accounts,” he said.

"Cash withdrawals can only be done at TH counters through identity verification, online banking is controlled by password and transaction authorisation code (TAC) while the automated teller machines (ATM) of TH's strategic partner banks is controlled by postal index number (PIN)," he added.

Mohamad Ameen then said depositors can also limit the number of daily transfers through Internet banking done by TH's strategic partner banks.

He also said depositors could check their account statements periodically through the Tabung Haji Online (THiJARI) application.

"Besides that, cash withdrawals from TH accounts cannot be done through the THiJARI platform while withdrawal or money transfers also cannot be carried out through phone calls,” added Mohamad Ameen.

"Telegraphic transfer instructions at the counter can only be made from a TH account to one's own account. Therefore, the money in TH is definitely safe,” he said.

Those with further enquiries may contact the TH Call Centre at 03-62071919.