Protect yourself from fraud and phishing

With email, online shopping, social media etc., the internet has pushed back the boundaries. Beware, fraud attempts by telephone, text message or email are currently taking place.

To keep the experience positive and avoid pitfalls, some vigilance is required.

Any transaction conducted via a BNP Paribas Wealth Management digital platform will be authenticated either via an OTP and/ or biometric recognition.

You must exercise extreme caution when providing personal details, transacting or transferring funds. We advise you all clients to validate any engagement or transaction request with your their assigned Relationship Manager on your registered or recorded contact number.

If you have any doubts, please contact your assigned Relationship Manager on your registered or recorded contact number or click on “Notify a fraud” and we will contact you .

#2 - How do you recognise fraud?

Convincing and believable

To avoid being caught out, you need to start by recognising this type of fraud. Which is not easy at first glance.

• Fraudsters use all the channels at their disposal: emails, text messages, phone calls, social media, letters and the rest. So any communication could be fraudulent, regardless of its form. 
• The logo, font, footer and signature all make the message look like it could be from the alleged sender. Fraudsters can also create perfect copies of official websites. It's hard to tell the difference without checking the URL carefully. 
• The message content seems totally credible. And that's normal: fraudsters are very ingenious in devising a plausible scenario. • Fraudulent messages no longer necessarily contain spelling mistakes. 
• The language used is often excellent: fraudsters speak perfect English or French. And they are usually very friendly. 
• They can spoof phone numbers and email addresses, which seem correct but aren’t. 
• They can also do things like intercept an invoice you're expecting by email after purchasing goods or services and change the payee’s account number. So check all the details (sender's email address, phone number etc.) and compare the account number with the one on your order.

Reasons to be suspicious

• The goal is to obtain confidential information. Are your secret codes being requested? If so, it’s highly likely that it's an attempt to commit fraud. 
• The message is clear, you need to take urgent action. You feel pressured, stressed. And that's exactly what they want: to get you to act without taking the time to think. You lower your guard and end up giving them the requested information. 
• You're asked to pay money, whether the fraudsters are posing as a supplier for an allegedly unpaid invoice or as a friend stuck in hospital, by clicking on a link. 
• An email is sent to you to finalise your online purchase and initiate payment. You're invited to click on the link in the email. If you click, you're directed to a fraudulent website where your banking data will be captured. 

As you’ll have realised, this type of scam involves a certain amount of psychological manipulation.