Hundreds of Tongans have had their bank cards blocked and reissued with new cards after they fell victim to international scammers.
Kaniva News reports customers who had unauthorized transactions on their account as a result of this fraudulent activity will be reimbursed, a statement from Tonga National Reserves Bank said.
The National Reserve Bank of Tonga said it has brought to its attention customers of banks in Tonga have been affected by the fraudulent activities in Fiji which involved obtaining customers’ bank card details using ATM and EFTOS skimming devices.
“The local banks are addressing this with the re-issue of new cards for Visa customers that have used their cards in Fiji in the past 12 months. Customers with unauthorized transactions on their account as a result of this fraudulent activity are to be assured that they will be reimbursed for the amount of the unauthorized transaction after banks verify the legitimacy of dispute”, the statement said.
“Members of the public and bank cardholders who have travelled to Fiji in the past year are urged to reconcile your bank account statements to ensure your accounts have not been victimized.
“The Reserve Bank would like to advise cardholders to exercise caution when using their Visa cards at ATMs and EFTPOS machines, when accessing their bank accounts online and when conducting online purchases or payments.
“Customers whose cards were used for unauthorized transactions should immediately contact their respective bank. For BSP customers please contact ‘Amateila Tonga at telephone number (676) 23933 ext.6178 or email atonga@bsp.com.pg and for ANZ Bank customers please contact Tevita Fakapulia at telephone number (676) 20-525 or email Tevita.Fakapulia@anz.com“.
Customers may also report any fraudulent or suspicious transaction to the Complaints Unit of the NRBT at telephone (676) 24057 or email nrbt@reservebank.to.