A scam trend continues to target residents in Qatar by using text message that claims that their bank accounts have been suspended or disabled for security purposes.

Not to mention that the financial frauds have increased recently, most of them through SMS and WhatsApp messages. Moreover, it is learned from a recent survey that around 70% of people in Qatar have received a similar kind of text message including top organisations like Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC). Many people may have fallen to such scams because of responding to fraudsters and sending information about it including credit card information.

Lately, we reported about the suspended ATM card scam alert in Qatar, however, many people are still complaining that they are receiving text messages from a mobile number pretending to be Criminal Investigation Department (CID) regarding their ATM card which requires a callback to fix the issue. Here is an example of the message!

Typically, the SMS customers receive looks like from their bank. So if you call on the mentioned number, the scammer will say you need to confirm some personal details, usually your Internet banking username and password. And if you reveal your details, you will soon find scammers have accessed your account and cleared out the money.

Protect yourself

It is easy to be fooled by the scammers like this, however, you can protect yourself by following these steps:

1. If you are concerned that your bank account has been suspended or disabled, contact your bank directly using the number mentioned on your Debit / Credit card but never open the link or call the number included in the text message.
2. DO NOT share any sensitive information related to QID, OTP, Card & PIN or Passwords over the phone, email or any other means. Bank will never notify for updating your bank records over a phone call or by an SMS.
3. You can also install an SMS spam blocker that will automatically identify scam text messages and filter them into the junk folder of your Messages app.

Communicate with the Crimes Department

To verify the authenticity of any messages related to banking information and data, you can contact customer service centres in different banks and financial institutions. In the event of exposure to any fraud, you can contact the Economic and Electronic Crimes Department by visiting its headquarters directly in Duhail area. You can also get in touch with them through the following contact details:

Online: Metrash2
Contact: 2347444
Hotline: 66815757
E-mail: [email protected].

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Khadiza Begum

Content Writer

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