The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc will from October 16 to October 20, 2023, hold a Fraud Awareness Week – an initiative aimed at empowering customers with knowledge and tools to protect them against fraud and financial malpractices in the banking and financial sector.

UBA will hold the week-long event to galvanise collaborative efforts to safeguard the assets and accounts of the bank’s customers.

The bank made this known in a statement issued and made available to The Star on Saturday, October 14, 2023.

According to UBA, the event which will be held with the theme “Fighting Fraud Together”, will have in-house sessions; Train the Trainers Webinars; Engagement with External Stakeholders; Seminars; and an Anti-Fraud Clinic bank-wide to inform and educate both staff and customers on the need to protect their accounts from illegal access.

Speaking on the event, the UBA’s Chief Audit and Assurance Officer, Sanusi Mudasiru, stated that in the light of scamming activities inherent in the digital age and since the banks’ priority is the safety and security of customers’ accounts, it has become increasingly essential for the bank to educate its customers on how to be cautious about sharing sensitive information to guide against fraudulent and suspicious transactions.

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Mudasiru said: “Our commitment to integrity remains unwavering. Lately, we have seen the need to work together with our customers to protect their assets.

“We need to continue to let them know for instance that UBA will never ask for your PIN, password, or OTP, and through the activities lined up for the week, we will share vital information to our customers on how to stay secure, stay alert, and help us fight and stop fraud together.”

He noted that the UBA Fraud Awareness Week is coming up during the “ember months which are renowned for increasing fraud-related activities”.

The UBA official said the bank will give out ‘tips’ and ‘red-flags’ that customers should be on the lookout for so that they do not fall prey to the fraudsters.

Mudasiru added: “With UBA, you are in safe hands, and we encourage you to be wise and help us protect your money.

“We know that your phone is a major gateway to your account, and securing it is paramount, so we will teach you how to lock your phones and all social media apps with two-step verification and highlight why you should not share your phone unlock code with anyone, and never trust anyone with your phone when you are not looking. All these and others will be shared during this event.”

The Star