MANAMA: The Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) has issued automated teller machine (ATM) alert throughout the Kingdom in the wake of reports of possible cash-out operation by cybercriminals by targeting financial institutions’ ATMs channels to withdraw the cash within few hours.
The warning has been issued by the CBB to all Chief Executive Officers of All Retail Banks; All Financing Companies and Ancillary Service Providers.
The CBB has received a press alert about a possible global cash-out operation by cybercriminals preparing to carry out a global fraud involving hacking a financial institution or card processor to withdraw cash in just a few hours, the warning issued by the Central Bank says.
In view of this alert, it added, the CBB is hereby instructing licensees as follows:
a) Notify customers to be vigilant about the authenticity of short messages (SMS) received regarding withdrawals from bank accounts through ATMs or other electronic means and the use of credit, charge or prepaid cards; and
b) Alerting customers not to respond to phishing messages whether verbal or
electronic seeking details of account/card.
All licensees should, accordingly, ensure that the card processors and relevant personnel concerned are made aware of this alert. Other precautions against cyber-attacks and necessary controls arising from above must also be revisited, it added.
The licensees have been informed to contact their normal supervisory point of contact at the CBB, in case they need any help in this regard.