Scammers are taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic and related government aid to dupe people into parting with their money. The most active among them are the Macau Scam, False Transaction Authorisation Code (TAC), Personal Loans Scam, online purchase of face masks and the most recent scam is the use of false websites or apps using the name of Bank Negara Malaysia.
AKPK’s financial education service, which provides education on the responsible use of money and credit management skills, gives a comprehensive coverage of financial scams in its investment module to create greater awareness of these scams thus helping individuals to avoid being scammed. We would like to encourage those who wish to know more about our financial education modules to check out our website www.akpk.org.my.
We should be on alert at all times to avoid falling prey to these financial scams. Almost all the scams involve the voluntary disclosure of information pertaining to personal bank account details by the victim to a third party. Examples of the information are account number, login ID and password, TAC number and there are also cases where the credit card PIN numbers are given to scam syndicates. Without this confidential information it would not be possible for the syndicates to withdraw money from the victims’ accounts.
Avoid being cheated in financial scams by following these tips from AKPK:
- Keep your login ID and password a secret.
- Ensure that your password is strong.
- Do not share your sensitive and confidential banking information with anyone.
- Do not click on any links received through e-mails, SMS or other social media platforms.
- Ensure that website addresses and URLs are correct.
- Do not panic when you receive a call from an unknown person. Stay calm.
- Do not share your sensitive and confidential banking information with anyone.
- Do not easily believe what the scammer tells you without checking it out first.
AKPK always advises the public to be careful and vigilant against financial scams especially during this pandemic.
AKPK would like to remind everyone again that they do not appoint third party agents to engage with customers on their behalf and their services are free-of-charge for all individuals. During this RMCO, AKPK’s services are still available through an alternative online communication channel via Google Form. Customers can visit their website www.akpk.org.my to scan the QR code and access the Google Form for assistance. Upon submission of the online form, AKPK’s officers will be in touch with the customer as soon as possible. Customers can also call their customer care line 03-2616 7766. Customers can also go to ask.akpk.org.my for tips and get the latest financial information.
AKPK would also like to take this opportunity to inform the public that its loan restructuring service under the Debt Management Programme is now available to sole proprietors. This will be helpful to those in business who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
We would like to encourage the SMEs who need our assistance to visit our website for more information and visit our branch when feasible to do so.
