BDO Unibank Inc., the country’s largest lender, asked its customers to be cautious of text or email messages that spread fake information, incite panic and prompt hasty actions such as clicking on included links.
These fraudulent messages may come from unknown 11-digit numbers or email senders, or they may even appear to be from legitimate sources, using a technique known as “spoofing”, the bank said in an advisory.
It said messages claiming a login attempt on an online bank account from an unfamiliar device and urging immediate action to “remove” the device are likely scams.
“Another modus is a fraudulent text message that claims the recipient’s online bank account will be deactivated unless the mobile number is updated, supposedly ‘as part of a new online system’ by clicking on the link provided. A variation of this scheme is a text that claims the recipient’s email address has been updated, while also providing a clickable link to ‘change back’ to the previous email address,” it said.
“Always remember, if the message or the sender urges you to click a link or scan a QR code, it’s a scam,” BDO said. “Delete such messages immediately and report them to the bank.”
It said scammers often prey on potential victims by sending messages that claim the recipient’s online bank account has been compromised or that there was an unauthorized login attempt.
“These unverified messages can cause recipients to panic and follow the instructions, such as clicking on a link that leads to a fake bank website. On these fake websites, victims may unknowingly enter their bank account details, such as usernames and passwords, which scammers then use to access and steal money from their accounts,” it said.
BDO advised clients to remain calm, never click on any links in suspicious messages and never share their one-time PIN or OTP to anyone. “Instead, the bank informs its clients to contact BDO’s customer service directly to verify the legitimacy of the message,” it said.
BDO has the country’s largest distribution network, with over 1,700 consolidated operating branches and more than 4,800 ATMs nationwide. It also has 16 international offices (including full-service branches in Hong Kong and Singapore) in Asia, Europe, North America and the Middle East.