Online Fraud

AS COVID-19 continues to drive e-commerce activity, FNB has urged customers to use trusted and secure merchants to avoid being defrauded when shopping online. Chris Labuschagne, chief executive of FNB Card, said that in recent months the bank had seen a rise in a new fraud modus operandi, which involved methods such as “enumeration” and “account testing”, where online fraudsters use automated scripts or software to attempt transactions or payments. “Fortunately, our fraud detection measures have been effective in preventing many of these attempts, and we immediately block merchants for this activity. However, consumers need to maintain high levels of awareness, as fraudsters regularly evolve their methods,” he said. Trish Ramdhani, head of fraud at FNB Card, said: “To help minimise the risk of fraud, we recommend that consumers use trusted websites for online shopping. Consumers can identify the security of a website through ‘https’ or the padlock icon on the uniform resource locator. We also encourage our customers to use their Virtual Card for online shopping to minimise the risk of fraud. Our Virtual Card has a dynamic card verification value security number that changes every hour. Furthermore, our customers can temporarily block, cancel or replace their FNB or RMB Private Bank cards via the FNB or RMB Private Bank apps if they suspect fraudulent activity.” FNB also warned the public not click on links in emails or third-party websites when shopping online.