When money is not even safe in banks

 

A customer says banks should tighten security instead of just advising people to be aware of scammers.

PETALING JAYA: The public seems to have become wary of keeping money in their own bank accounts following several cases of online fraud or scams, fearing that they, too, could become victims.

Laboratory assistant Syarekha Jafer, 26, victim of a recent scam, expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of response from her bank in Keningau, Sabah, after she reported that her money was missing.

“I went to the bank on Aug 30 but the counter was only open until 4.30pm. The next day was Merdeka Day, so I couldn’t process the report. I had to wait till Sept 1 to call the ‘helpline’ but so far, I haven’t received a response from them.

“I am not happy. The bank has to do something to improve the system and especially its customer service. Regardless of the amount, the cash was still lost while under its care,” she told FMT.

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In a Facebook post on Aug 30, Syarekha said RM1,184 was missing from her bank account even though there was a transaction limit of RM1,000.

She said a check on her account via the bank’s app showed that two transactions were made by an unknown person and account without her knowledge and that she did not receive any confirmation message from the bank.

She claimed that she had always been aware of scams and ensured that she did not click on suspicious links or answer suspicious calls, and was convinced that her missing cash was result of the bank’s weaknesses.

“Ninety per cent of my monthly salary has been stolen, they have no explanation whatsoever. In fact, they asked ‘so, you want to make a report on what basis?'” she said.

Syarekha said she lodged a report at the Keningau police station.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) chief activist Nadzim Johan said the association was getting feedback from Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) regarding such issues.

“We have contacted BNM. They asked us to send an official letter,” he told FMT.

Several bank customers FMT spoke to, said they were worried that they might fall victim to scams.

Wan Rosrahimah Mustafa, 36, said she now preferred to invest in gold.

“I’m worried, people are being scammed in so many ways,” she said. “I wish the banks could do more to prevent such cases.”

Security guard Safri Kamaruddin, 47, said it was not enough for banks to only advise their customers to be aware of scams. He said the banks should step up security on their part too.

FMT has contacted the bank concerned in Syarekha’s case and BNM for comments. - FMT