An increasing number of people in Polokwane report that they receive emails purported to be from Absa and asking them to update their info by clicking on a link.
No bank will ask you to update your info by clicking on a link in an email.
Ignore these mails.
The following internal communication was sent to Absa employees and we repeat it here as it gives sound advice as to what you should do when communicating via the Inetrnet with your bank:
"As previously communicated there is a sharp increase of phishing scam emails that appear to have been sent by the bank, and contain a link to a fake version of Absa’s website and instructions to log on to the site to verify their credentials with the bank.
As an employee you play an important role in fighting Internet Banking crime. Please convey this message to all your friends and family members in order to protect them from losing their money.
These emails are sent out as spam to numerous recipients and a variety of tricks are used to make the phishing scam look like a legitimate process, such as duplicating Absa’s legitimate logos and other identifying information taken directly from the legitimate website to fool victims into divulging their logon details.
Most messages imply a sense of urgency or an immediate risk to bank accounts or credit cards if you fail to answer, in order to increase the chances of a response. Sometimes special offers and prizes may also be promoted as incentives.
The scammers have become better impostors, incorporating phrasing and wording into the email that the bank's customers would be familiar with from previous authentic advisories. These are hoax emails in which every single psychological ploy, right from shocking, luring, scaring and threatening are used by scam artists to get their potential victims to fall in line.
Under no circumstances should you click on the link provided in the email as you will be taken to a phony scam site or possibly a pop-up window that resembles the official Absa website.
Ensure that you only log on to Absa Internet Banking by typing the official website http://www.absa.co.za into the address bar, rather than following links to the Absa website. Disregard any emails that advise otherwise.
Con artists also use URLs that resemble the name of the bank but are slightly altered by adding, omitting or transposing letters.
Always remember that Absa will never send you unsolicited emails asking for confidential information, such as your Password, PIN, Access Code, credit card and account numbers.
We will never ask you to validate or restore your account access through email or pop-up windows.
Absa is continuously working to ensure your security against phishing schemes and we suggest that you use this short checklist to protect yourself against phishing attacks:
● Begin your Internet Banking session by manually typing the web address into your browser.
The official URL of Absa is http://www.absa.co.za
● Keep your access information secure (account number, user number, and all PIN numbers and passwords)
● Ensure you see a lock icon either at the top of the Internet browser window or at the bottom – depending on your browser
● Install and regularly update the latest anti-virus software (Absa Internet Banking and Cellphone Banking clients qualify for free first class commercial anti-virus software for their PC or Cellphone)
● Refrain from banking at public terminals like Internet Cafes
● Only provide credit card details to reputable companies; look for the lock and key icon and security certificates when shopping online
● Change your PIN number and Password regularly
Regards,
Carl Louw
Head: Internet Channel"
Absa
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