Family Bank warns customers to slow down, verify messages, avoid sharing details, and stay alert against scams especially during the festive season.
The festive season is here with us, where we increase our spending, be it shopping, travelling, or sending money. This holiday season can get busy, and it is this busyness that scammers always look forward to since people don’t usually take the time to slow down. They increase their efforts knowing very well that they can con people who in between the rushing won’t take time to pause and verify unexpected requests. There is alot of distractions which lower your attention in between the high volume of texts, calls and other notifications. It is during this festive period that fraud attempts increase.
Read also – Family Bank Festive Safety Guides Secure Card Usage
A lot of consumers assume scams are obvious, which is far from the case, as they usually look harmless at the start. They usually begin with texts, calls, emails, WhatsApp messages telling you about a delayed delivery, asking you to update your account details or that there is an issue with your payment, or even announcing that you’ve won a giveaway to make you curious. These scammers will claim that they are from your bank, just so you trust them after lowering your guard.
The scammers will create urgency on your end, which then makes you a potential victim if you’re not cautious enough. This urgency will push you to act before thinking. These fraudsters will go ahead and inform you that your account will be suspended, your card blocked, or your funds frozen if you don’t take action immediately.
This pressure is usually framed as customer service or protection with their impersonation of bank staff or other financial institutions.
During this holiday season, with all the increased online shopping and deliveries, you will probably get a fake delivery notification or fake tracking link or even discount offers usually tied to urgency. These links will have look-alike payment or login pages, which are malicious in their true nature. Some of these messages even ask to be sent a small payment so to release the package. And because you were expecting a delivery, these requests will often escape scrutiny.
It is worth noting that not all scams will be poorly formulated, although that is usually the case. You might be contacted by unfamiliar numbers or email addresses with spelling mistakes or unusual formatting. They will ask for your confidential details while urging you to quickly take action. These are some of the practical warning signs you should watch out for.
Banks like Family Bank will never ask you for PINs, passwords, or one-time codes over calls or messages. Banks will never threaten you, a customer or demand immediate action through these informal channels. So if you get a request for sensitive details outside your financial institution’s official platforms, you should treat that as suspicious.
If you’re still uncertain, just slow down and pause. And to be safe, you can contact Family Bank official customer care numbers through +254 (0) 703 095 445 or +254 (0) 703 095 000 or simply visit the nearest branch for further assistance. Taking time to confirm is a way to protect your account. Rushed decisions are what fraudsters rely on the most.
This holiday season is not for stressing but connecting and celebrating with your loved ones. Being aware does not require constant suspicion -only measured decisions. Slowing down before taking action or responding will prevent long-term consequences. All in all, calm choices remain the strongest defence.
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for real-time updates.
