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Ina Opperman
Image: iStock
Absa is investigating how one of its employees allegedly managed to illegally make selected customer data available to a small number of external parties in the second data breach this year.
Absa’s leaked data refers to a small part of the bank’s customer base, Absa said in a statement. Investigations continue.
According to Absa, the bank obtained high court orders for search and seizure operations at various facilities and secured all devices containing the data as soon as the leak was detected. The data on the seized devices was subsequently destroyed.
Absa has improved monitoring of customer accounts that have been affected to date and are contacting customers directly, Absa said.
The bank has filed criminal charges against the employee and started the required consequence management.
“Absa can take further action against recipients of the data once the full extent of the leak has been identified and all investigations have been completed.”
To protect its customers, Absa has implemented additional control measures to minimize the risk of this happening again.
Nischal Mewalall, Executive Director (CEO) of the South African Bank Risk Information Center (SABRIC), said the organization was aware of an incident in which an Absa employee illegally made selected customer data available to various external parties. .
“We would like to congratulate Absa for the efficient way in which they handled this matter. They acted proactively and in the best interest of their clients to protect them from criminal elements. “
He said SABRIC strongly believed in taking bank clerks who commit crimes.
“SABRIC was formed for exactly this reason – to ensure that financial crime is fought through collaboration. In the coming weeks, SABRIC will support the South African Police Service in the investigation, arrest and prosecution of all perpetrators ”.
SABRIC urged the public to heed these tips to prevent criminals from gaining access to your confidential information:
- Do not reveal personal information such as PINs, passwords or the CVV of your bank card when someone asks you to do so by phone, email or SMS.
- If your ID or driver’s license is stolen, report it to the police immediately and request a free protection registration with the Southern Africa Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS). This service alerts SAFPS members, including banks and credit providers, that extra care must be taken to confirm that they are transacting with the rightful identity holder. Request a protection registration by visiting the SAFPS website at http://www.safps.org.za/ and click on the “Fraud Prevention” tab, then click on “Request Protection Registration” and then on ” Register now”.
- Use strong passwords or a passphrase for all your accounts and never share them with anyone else.
- Never approve a mobile banking app request or any other transaction request if you are not conducting a transaction.
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