A few things you need to know to safeguard your bank account.

At these precarious times, financial scams and identity fraud seem to come in many shapes and forms—as text messages, emails, or phone calls and have inflected untold hardship on innocent Nigerians. Very often they appear very genuine, which can be especially frustrating. This can include fraudulent emails claiming your account is frozen and links to fake websites asking for personal info or taking on more extreme forms, like having fraudsters pose as bank employees. But don’t worry, the essence here is for you to learn how to identify the types of fraud and save yourself from being a victim.

The aim of these financial scams is always to steal your banking info, gain access to your account, get you to transfer money, purchase gift cards or send money to the scammer. While your bank does often require you to disclose certain personal information to confirm your identity, there are strict rules designed to keep you safe. So, you would not fall, victim, if you know what your bank would never ask you to do. They are the following:

?1) Your bank will never call to ask for personal information.

?If someone calls you claiming to be from your bank and asks you to provide personal or account information (or even usernames and passwords), hang up. Then call your bank at the number on the back of your ATM card or preferably call your account officer to report and do not call back any number provided by the person who called you originally.

?2) Nor ask you to keep a secret or be dishonest.

Scammers may trick you into giving them money through transfers, money-transferring apps, or online shops. They may want you not to tell the bank the reason for the transaction. Remember: being honest with your real bank is key. They are there to help you with fraud protection.

?3) Your bank will never threaten to cancel your services.

?Watch out for texts or emails that claim your account is locked, or dormant or that threaten to close your account unless you click a link and provide account details. This is a common tactic of scammers and know, your bank would never threaten to cancel your services.

?4) Your bank will not try to rush you into doing something

?Does a message seem pushy? Red alert! Banks are not in the business of rushing you, so this may also be a scam. If you get a message that looks like it’s from your bank, includes a link, or prompts you to take immediate action, call your?account officer. An extra tip? If there is a specified period attached to an action, that is a major red flag that it may be bank fraud.

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5) Note that your bank would not ask you to help with an investigation.

One of the more common scams is known as the “Bank Investigator Scam,” which typically involves a phone call from a fraudster posing as an employee in the fraud department at a bank. The scammer often provides a fake name and “employee number.” They may say your accounts have been compromised or that the bank is investigating a series of fraud cases committed by staff at the bank. You may even see money deposited into your account—but stay on the lookout. This is often the scammer moving funds from other accounts or your cards.

?6) Also, your bank can never ask you to transfer money as part of an investigation.

In several scams, the goal of the fraudster is to get the victim to transfer money. Remember that your financial institution will never ask you to withdraw cash or perform any financial transaction to help in a fraud or internal investigation.?

7) Again, your bank will never deposit money from your lines of credit without your knowledge.

This scam can involve depositing money into your account, with fraudulent checks or cash advances from your lines of credit. Your bank won’t initiate this type of activity without your permission, so be sure to keep an eye on your accounts. Trust your gut. If something feels fishy, it is most likely a fraud.

?8) Your bank will never request access to your computer.

Always note that your bank will never ask you for remote access to your device. If you receive a call from someone who says they’re from your bank and they need you to download software, hang up the phone and contact your bank immediately, using a phone number you know is an official bank number.

In conclusion, if you think your accounts or cards have been compromised, visit your bank's customer care center to complain and call your account officer to put a hold on your account until all is sorted out. I hope these few tips help someone.