Banks launch refreshed #JanganKenaScam awareness campaign to fight scams

KUALA LUMPUR - Banks under the ambit of the Association of Banks in Malaysia (ABM) and Association of Islamic Banking and Financial Institutions Malaysia (AIBIM), have collectively launched its refreshed #JanganKenaScam awareness campaign today.

The national scam awareness campaign underscores the banking industry's commitment to combat financial scams in fostering unity and strengthening its efforts to prevent fraudulent banking activities as well as driving forward a singular message on scams.

Bank Negara Governor Datuk Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour said the campaign was a testament to the private sector’s high level of commitment to raising public awareness of the financial scams in the country and equip Malaysians with practical anti-scam knowledge so that they can easily identify scam tactics and protect themselves and their loved ones.

"While security and technology measures are important, public awareness remains our strongest defence. Indeed, educating the public against scams is an ongoing effort that must go on. I commend the private sector’s work in coordinating industry-wide anti-scam strategies through its industry taskforce,” he said in his opening address at the launch of the campaign today.

Earlier this year, the banking industry banded together to implement several key security measures to fight scams, such as migrating from SMS One-Time-Password (OTP), tightening of fraud detection rules, imposing cooling-off period for first-time online banking registration, restricting secure authentication to a single device, and setting up dedicated fraud hotlines for customers.

Meanwhile, ABM Chairman Datuk Khairussaleh Ramli hoped that the campaign, coupled with the introduction of the anti-scam resource centre at www.JanganKenaScam.com, can provide the public with an avenue that enables them to understand the manipulation techniques used by scammers in financial scams.

"To fight scammers, we first need to learn their language. We encourage the public to take up this fight with us so we can defeat scammers together. Customers should remain alert at all times and not share their banking information with anyone,” he said.

AIBIM President Datuk Mohd Muazzam Mohamed said AIBIM remains steadfast in the commitment to protect the financial well-being of their community and the campaign is a significant part of their effort to raise awareness and fight against scams.

The launch was followed by an interactive media briefing and panel discussion centred on the theme 'Enhancing Digital Fraud Literacy to Continue Fostering a Secure Online Environment for Malaysians' took place to provide valuable insights into the latest scam tactics which enables the public to identify any potential red flags.

The public will also have an opportunity to experience the #JanganKenaScam Fest at various locations nationwide, starting with the Minggu Saham Amanah Malaysia (MSAM) in Bertam, Penang from now until Oct 8, 2023 and coming soon in 1 Utama Shopping Centre in Petaling Jaya from Nov 15 to 19, 2023.

For more information on the #JanganKenaScam campaign and tips on how to combat scams, the public can visit www.JanganKenaScam.com. - BERNAMA