Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) warns its clients to be vigilant against phishing attacks and other online scams.
Mark Anthony G. de Leon, RCBC customer service head, sent me a copy of the reminder they issued to clients following a series of e-mails sent even to non-bank clients like me.
De Leon said, “RCBC will never ask its customers to provide… confidential information through e-mail.”
The latest e-mail I got, titled “eBanking Consumer Protection Policy,” said RCBC was “undergoing a secure Account Maintenance. You are required to validate your account below. We take this opportunity to thank you for your understanding and patience.”
The e-mail provided a link where clients could supposedly validate their accounts.
Here are portions of the RCBC warning to its clients:
“Please be warned of phishing attacks… being lodged against Philippine banks by foreign syndicates. Such attacks are perpetrated by unscrupulous groups (called ‘phishers’/‘scammers’) who randomly send bank clients an e-mail message asking for their user IDs, log-in and transaction passwords, claiming this is for the purpose of ensuring their continued use of the bank’s Internet banking facility (in RCBC’s case, RCBC AccessOne). Please be informed that these messages are fictitious, fabricated and only meant to mislead you into allowing these phishers to steal your online financial identity and then illegally transact on your behalf.”
The bank warned clients that responding to the e-mail would enable “syndicates” to steal their money.
RCBC reminded clients to “never trust or click on any link sent via e-mail or SMS (requesting) for any personal information… Please ensure that you use your user ID and passwords ONLY when transacting directly (through) www.rcbc.com.”
At the same time, the bank said, “as stipulated in the Terms and Conditions you signed for RCBC AccessOne, the bank will NOT take responsibility for whatever losses you may incur (as a result of) accessing bogus/unsecured websites.”
Clients are asked to report suspicious e-mail through [email protected] or tel. 8777222.
Also warning people about e-mail is Nokia Philippines. I received an e-mail telling me I won a Nokia phone. How, since I do not even own a Nokia phone, it does not explain. The local Nokia office says the e-mail did not come from them.
Usually, the reason for these dubious messages is they need some valuable information from people. The first message will only carry the “good news.” Those who make the mistake of responding will find out they will be asked to share some confidential information or will be asked to pay for all sorts of things like taxes, mailing charges, etc. Worse, they never get that phone.
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Send letters to The Consumer, Lifestyle Section, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 1098 Chino Roces Ave. cor. Mascardo and Yague Sts., 1204 Makati City; fax 8974793/94; or e-mail [email protected].
