Page 7 - INSIDE ACCESS

TALES FROM THE BANKING HALL
The BSM walked across the banking hall to the customer who had just come into the banking hall looking lost, confused and distraught. “Good afternoon, welcome to Access Bank she greeted, how may we help you?” The lady introduced herself as Charity and said I think I have just been defrauded and then she embarked on her tale....
On her way to work, she received a call from a strange number, the person introduced himself as her boss and stated in his reason for calling. He was on his way to work when he stopped by VIO. He needed N80,000 immediately but was cash strapped, He asked if she could transfer the funds and he would refund her immediately he got to the office? Charity promised to assist once she got to the office.
She did not have any money herself, but got another colleague to do the transfer, her “boss” kept calling to
follow up until the transfer was completed. The “boss” then promised a refund within the hour. Charity waited 3 hours, with no sign of a refund. She tried to call the number she had been receiving calls from, it was switched off! She waited another hour, and then called her boss on his known mobile line, her boss was shocked! He had travelled to Makurdi on an official assignment till next week. Apparently he had made no such calls, why would he ask her for money? Since she had his number why didn’t she call him to confirm?
Charity was confused, desperately making enquiries about the beneficiary account and her transferred funds. The BSM asked her to put her complaint in writing and log on CRM for the Anti-fraud desk to review. She told her to tell the colleague who helped with the transfer to make the same complaint
at the Bank from which the funds were transferred and also at the police station.
Charity was dumbfounded, “I cannot believe this is happening” she cried. The BSM encouraged Charity to learn from this experience. Be cautious of strange calls and always double check information (especially urgent inconsistent requests for money). Fraudsters are everywhere and change tactics all the time. Never disclose your account details to anyone.
P.S. The money in the account? Long gone via ATM withdrawals.
Stay vigilant!
Contributed by
Lidadi Bassey
PAGE 7 INSIDE ACCESS | DECEMBER 2020 1ST EDITION