Nairobi: Bank Windhoek has urged customers and members of the public to remain vigilant against increasingly sophisticated scams, warning that fraudsters are manipulating victims into disclosing confidential banking information or authorising fraudulent transactions.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the bank said criminals are using fraudulent SMS alerts, emails, social media messages, and telephone calls to create panic, gain victims' trust, and pressure them into acting without verifying the requests.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Bank Windhoek Executive Officer for Marketing and Corporate Communication Services, Jacquiline Pack, stated that the most effective defence against fraud is for customers never to disclose their personal identification numbers (PINs), passwords, one-time passwords (OTPs), card details, usernames, or other confidential banking information. She emphasized that such information should not be shared with anyone, including individuals claiming to represent the bank.

'Fraudsters do not always attack banking systems; they often attack trust,' Pack remarked. She cautioned customers against requests for 'reverse codes', 'access codes', or similar authorisation details, describing them as common tactics used by scammers to gain access to bank accounts or approve fraudulent transactions.

The bank also warned customers not to install or grant access through remote-access applications, such as AnyDesk, when instructed to do so by someone claiming to provide banking assistance. According to the bank, criminals misuse such software to take control of victims' devices and obtain online banking credentials without their knowledge.

Bank Windhoek further advised customers to immediately end suspicious calls, avoid clicking on unfamiliar links, and verify any communication directly with the bank through its official channels. Customers who suspect that they have been targeted or have fallen victim to fraud should immediately report the incident to the Bank Windhoek Customer Contact Centre.

The bank stated it continues to invest in fraud-prevention systems, secure banking platforms, and customer education through its 'Your Bank Would Never' awareness campaign, which promotes safer banking practices. 'Protecting customers is a shared responsibility. If something feels suspicious, do not respond, share or authorise. Contact the bank first,' said Pack.