Debit Card Fraudulent Transactions

An awareness to all debit card holders in the Philippines.

debit card used for online transactions

What is a debit card fraudulent transaction?

Debit card fraudulent transactions are a type of financial fraud that occurs when someone uses a stolen or compromised debit card to make a purchase (offline/online) or withdraw cash from an ATM. This type of fraud can be particularly damaging to consumers because it can drain their bank accounts and leave them without access to their own money. In this article, we will discuss the several ways in which debit card fraud can occur online, as well as steps that consumers can take to protect themselves from this type of fraud.

How do debit card fraudulent transactions occur?

One common way that debit card fraud occurs online is through phishing scams. In a phishing scam, a fraudster will send an email or text message to a victim, pretending to be from a legitimate company or financial institution. The message will often contain a link to a fake website that looks similar to the real thing and will ask the victim to enter their personal and financial information. If the victim falls for the scam and enters their information, the fraudster can use it to make fraudulent purchases or withdrawals using the victim’s debit card.

fraudulent online banking transactions
One of our business accounts was used to purchase an item from Netflix and itunes.com without an OTP request and an email confirmation from us. Transactions took place From November 7, 2022 to December 14, 2022 with a total amount of approx. Php14,000.00.

Another way that debit card fraud can occur online is through the use of malware. Malware is a type of software that is designed to infiltrate a computer or device and steal sensitive information. If a victim downloads malware onto their device, it can capture their login credentials and financial information, including their debit card details. The fraudster can then use this information to make fraudulent transactions.

Important steps to protect yourself from this fraud

There are various steps that consumers can take to protect themselves from debit card fraudulent online transactions. One of the most important things is to be cautious when clicking on links or entering personal information online. If you receive an email or text message from a company or financial institution that you do not recognize, do not click on any links or enter any information. Instead, contact the company directly to verify the authenticity of the message.

It is also important to keep your computer and other devices up to date with the latest security software and patches. This can help to protect against malware and other types of cyber threats. Additionally, be sure to use strong, unique passwords for all of your online accounts, and avoid using the same password for multiple accounts.

What’s next….

Finally, it is a great idea to monitor your bank accounts and credit card statements regularly for any suspicious activity. If you notice any unauthorized transactions, report them to your bank immediately. By taking these precautions, you can help to protect yourself from debit card fraudulent online transactions and other types of financial fraud.

money refunded
On December 26, 2022, we reported the incident to the bank via phone support. With consent, they blocked the debit card account and reorder a new one for us. They gave an assurance that the matter is being investigated and handled seriously. Three (3) banking days after, the stolen amount was credited (refunded) to our business account.