From time to time, we receive text messages from our local banks warning us: "Dear customer, we will never contact you to ask for your account number, request a password change, or inquire about your account details, etc." These messages undoubtedly raise customer awareness that banks do not contact customers for such sensitive information. If contact is needed, it occurs during official bank hours and through landlines, not mobile phones—except in cases of personal acquaintances.
This increased awareness helped me when, a few days ago, I refused to speak with a woman who called asking for my bank account details. Her number was not registered as one of the bank's contacts on my phone. The caller, who had an Omani accent, claimed my ATM card required an update and insisted she was calling from the bank's main branch. Since it was around 3 p.m. when she called, I told her I didn’t have my card on hand and would visit the bank branch the next day to update the information. However, she persisted and then transferred the call to another person, who spoke with an accent resembling that of someone from the Gulf region. He claimed to be the manager of the main branch and also insisted on getting my card number for the update.
Despite their persistence, I refused to give them any information and asked them to tell me the CEO’s name. They provided a name I didn’t recognize, which further fueled my suspicion. Their call timing, coupled with their limited knowledge, made me wary. The next day, I visited my bank, and they confirmed that neither the main branch nor the branch I use had contacted me.
Once again, I was reminded of the periodic messages from banks advising customers not to engage with fraudulent individuals who manage to steal funds from unsuspecting accounts.
Such incidents fall within the types of fraud methods that authorities, such as the Royal Oman Police and the Central Bank of Oman, frequently warn about. These methods are also highlighted by various banking and financial institutions, emphasizing the need to be vigilant against scams conducted either directly with individuals or through online platforms and websites.
The number of these calls seems to be increasing, with fraudsters insisting on obtaining personal information such as credit card details, PINs, and other sensitive data to commit theft and extortion.
This situation calls for greater awareness, especially among new bank account holders. It is also crucial to educate children about these risks, as they can be targets of fraud and blackmail through online games and social media. No one should disclose information that could allow fraudsters to exploit them or their family members.
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