As the year ends, people travel and shop more, both offline and online. With all the events, big promotions and discounts, sweepstakes, and other year-end activities, credit cards are used more frequently.

However, while transactions become easier, crimes such as social engineering and credit card phishing are also on the rise.

A clear example of social engineering is fraud committed in the name of a bank call center. The fraudster pretends to be a bank employee and informs the victim of a suspicious transaction, then asks the victim to provide confidential data to cancel the transaction.

The fraudster influences the victim’s mind through various media such as audio, video, text, and images that are persuasive in nature, causing the victim to consciously do what the fraudster wants.

Common Credit Card Fraud Schemes

• Phone calls impersonating a “Call Center” that request personal banking data for various reasons, such as canceling a transaction or verifying data.
• Offers to increase credit card limits that seem promising but require confidential personal banking data.
• Fake prize draws informing customers that they have won and are entitled to a prize, but requiring verification by providing personal banking data.
• Fake BTS sending SMS that appear to be official from Bank BCA, containing phishing links. If clicked, victims are directed to fill in their personal banking data. The methods vary, ranging from point redemption to data verification and others.

Tips to Avoid Online Fraud

Looking at several examples of online fraud that use social engineering techniques or manipulate victim's psychology, almost all fraud schemes aim to steal confidential personal banking data such as ATM card numbers, PINs, OTP codes, CVV/CVC codes, and others.

Therefore, please note the following tips:

• Know the Official BCA Number or Contact
  The official Halo BCA number is 1500888 without any prefix 021 or +62. Meanwhile, the official BCA WhatsApp number is 08111500998.
• Do not be easily tempted by offers or misled by uncertain information
  Remember that social engineering scams manipulate victims, making their tactics very difficult to detect.
• Verify the Information
  Confirmation can be made directly by contacting Halo BCA at 1500888 or via the haloBCA app (using internet access).
• Never Share Confidential Personal Banking Data with Anyone
  Regardless of the situation or circumstances, BCA account holders or credit cardholders are prohibited from providing Debit/Credit Card Numbers, PINs, OTP codes, CVV/CVC codes, card expiration dates, or other confidential banking information.

Always protect confidential banking information to avoid financial loss.