Credit card fraud methods are increasingly diverse and target victims who are happy to be lured by promises, one of which is the offer of free annual fees for credit cards.
Without realizing it, many customers are trapped in this fraud due to lack of information and vigiliance.
Getting to Know the Credit Card Fee-Free Mode
The perpetrators who claim to be BCA Bank Customer Service or Marketing will offer an offer in the form of "annual fee waiver" for credit cards, an offer that is tempting for anyone.
In a general scenario, the credit card holder or card holder will be contacted by telephone by a perpetrator who pretends to be an officer from BCA Bank.
The perpetrator then explained that credit card holders were entitled to free credit card fees, on the condition that they had to verify their data first.
This verification involves asking for credit card details, including card number, expiration date, and CVV code, which should not be shared with anyone.
Request OTP Code
It doesn't stop there, the perpetrator also directs the victim to provide the OTP (One Time Password) code which is usually sent by the bank via SMS to the credit card holder's cellphone as a transaction verification step.
In some cases, the perpetrator will send a link to the credit card holder. This link will direct the victim to a page that resembles the official BCA website, where the victim is asked to fill in their complete credit card details.
When the victim fills in the data, the information immediately falls into the hands of the perpetrator, who can quickly misuse it for ilegal transactions.
This method is highly effective because the perpetrators use social engineering, or psychological manipulation, to manipulate trust. They also exploit the victim's over-excitement and lack of understanding of the bank's policies regarding the sharing of personal data.
Tips to Prevent This Fraud
To protect yourself from this type of fraud, some important steps to take are:
- Credit card data such as card number, expiration date, CVC/CVV. and OTP are confidential information that should not be shared with anyone, including parties claiming to be bank officers, through any means.
- If you receive a call from an unknown number claiming to be from Bank BCA, verify it directly with Halo BCA at 1500888 or via the HaloBCA application.
- If you receive an unknown link via text message or email, never open it. Always access the official BCA website at www.bca.co.id.
- Enable notifications for every credit card transaction so you can immediately know if there any unknown transactions.
As a smart customer, you must always be vigilant and not be easily tempted by free membership schemes. Remember, keeping your personal data secure is the first step in protecting yourself from the growing threat of cybercrime.
Related Scams to Look Out For
As a credit card user, you should also read about other types of credit card fraud:
- Transaction cancellation email fraud mode
- Fraud mode offering to increase card limit
- Point exchange fraud mode
- Transactions cancellation telephone fraud mode
If you suspect something is suspicious, don't hesitate to contact Halo BCA immediately. This service is ready to help provide information and guidance on all matters related to your credit card security.