ACAMB warns Nigerian bank customers of rising phishing scams

The Association of Corporate Communication and Marketing Professionals in Banks (ACAMB) has issued a warning to customers regarding an increase in phishing scams and cyber fraud. Criminals are reportedly using cloned websites, fake bank alerts, and impersonation accounts to steal sensitive data, including login credentials, Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs), card details, and transaction PINs.

The warning follows the discovery of fraudulent text messages impersonating various banks. These messages contain links to cloned internet banking sites designed to harvest user information. ACAMB President Jide Sipe emphasized that no Nigerian bank will request a PIN, password, OTP, or BVN through a link, urging customers to remain vigilant despite the increasing sophistication of these schemes.

Recent incidents in the sector include Wema Bank dealing with over 70 fake accounts on X in June, and Zenith Bank Plc investigating unauthorized data access linked to a global cyberattack in August. While the Central Bank of Nigeria has introduced mandatory cybersecurity self-assessment guides, ACAMB stresses that customer awareness is essential to complement institutional security efforts.