Bank warns of rise in phone-based fraud targeting customers

CIBC Caribbean is warning customers to remain vigilant as fraudsters step up increasingly sophisticated schemes using phone calls, social media, and video platforms to impersonate bank officials and extract sensitive information.

The bank reported on Tuesday that scammers are increasingly leveraging telephone calls, social media apps, and deceptive email addresses to impersonate bank officials. According to the release, recent reports indicate that fraudsters are even using Google Meet and other digital platforms to display the bank’s logo to lend a false sense of legitimacy to the scam.

The bank noted that these bad actors often use email addresses designed to mimic official channels, such as “cibccustomer@gmail.com”, to entice people into revealing or confirming private account details. In a strong message to its client base, CIBC Caribbean clarified that it never initiates contact through these unconventional channels for sensitive matters.

“The bank has again strongly emphasised that those are all fraudulent attempts and strongly advises that it does not reach out to clients in such a manner or ask them to provide personal banking details via such methods.”

To help the public distinguish between legitimate communication and a trap, the bank stressed that its representatives will never contact customers via social media, text, or phone to request sensitive information. This includes One-Time Verification Codes (OTVC), Personal Identification Numbers (PIN), card numbers, CVV codes, or login credentials.

Furthermore, officials will never instruct a client to download a remote desktop application or click on a suspicious link, the bank stressed.

CIBC Caribbean urged anyone who receives a suspicious request to disengage immediately and document the attempt for their security team.

“CIBC Caribbean warns the public not to engage with the imposters and to report all suspected fraudulent activity immediately to the bank’s Fraud Team — fraud@cibccaribbean.com — sharing a screenshot of the call.”

If a client realises they have already shared information with an imposter, the bank advises calling the official number located on the back of their debit or credit card immediately. While the institution maintains robust client protection systems, it reminded the public that security remains a shared responsibility.“The bank has assured the public that it is committed to protecting their personal information through robust client protection systems, but notes that clients must themselves continue to be vigilant in a joint effort with the bank to keep their account information safe.”

(RR)