Mr Okocha (not real name) lost his handset to pick pockets while returning from work in the evening, three months ago. Not realizing what he was about to do to himself, he failed to go back to his network provider to retrieve or block his line; instead, he decided to go for a new line. Unknown to him, the line is linked to his saving bank and he had ignorantly exposed himself to fraudsters.

The pickpocket whose mission was to see who would fall prey to his antics was happy that Okocha did not bother to destroy his SIM card.

Each time Okocha did any transaction on his account; the fraudster received alerts and so he knew whenever Okocha paid in money into his account. But unfortunately, Okocha who owns the account did not bother to check with his bank to know why he was not getting alerts of his transaction on his new phone; neither did he inform his bank that he had changed his phone number.

This situation continued for some time, until the fraudster, using his old phone, has taken away almost all the money in Okocha account.

The fraudster, each day that passes, recharges his second phone by transferring airtime from Okocha bank linked to the phone, until he had almost exhausted all the money in the account.

Joseph, who is a bank official in Apapa, where Okocha has his account, blamed the victim for not notifying the bank when he changed his phone number.

“This is an era of technology and a lot of e-fraud is going on. People should not take information for granted; notify your bank of any change in your name, phone number or residential address, and that will help the bank update your record at every given time.”

http://www.financialwatchngr.com/2016/03/01/be-cautious-if-your-phone-number-is-linked-to-your-bank-accounts/

God please help us.

Lord Have Mercy