Scotiabank: Fraud attempts affecting some customers not widespread

 

Customers affected by the Bank of Nova Scotia Google Play scam are being encouraged to make a formal report to the authorities.

 

The bank has confirmed that there has been a fraud attempt affecting some debit cardholders but says it is not widespread.

 

It also said the fraud attempt is not related to credit cards and not directly related to Google Pay or Play.

 

Persons have been taking to social media alleging that their debit cards have been compromised and funds deducted from their account for Google Play purchases they did not make.

 

Lieutenant Colonel Godphey Sterling, Executive Director of Jamaica Cyber Incident Response Team, says the team will continue to look into the anecdotal evidence shared on social media, but advised customers to make the relevant reports. 

 

"If they find that these charges are on their statements or they're getting notifications, if notifications are set up on their cards, it's firstly to report it to the police. And it doesn't have to be to C-TOC or to MOCA. It can be reported to any police station. Once they've done that, it's to contact the branch with which their account is held," he advised. 

 

Customers may make a report to JaCIRT by email at Jamaica.cirt@opm.gov.jm, telephone at (876) 920-4543 or (876) 578-5705, or visit its offices at PCJ Resource Centre, Ground Floor, 36 Trafalgar Road, Kingston 10.

 

In the meantime, Scotiabank says debit card customers who have been victims of the recent cyber fraud will be reimbursed.

 

The bank says it has been reaching out to affected customers.

 

In an email to some of its customers, Scotiabank said new debit cards will be sent out, expected to arrive next week.

 

The bank has advised customers to activate the card as soon as it is received to minimise the risk of fraud.