Kuwaiti banks report an increase in hacking incidents targeting customer bank accounts via compromised local shopping websites. Victims experience unauthorized withdrawals following legitimate transactions. Disagreements arise between banks and customers regarding accountability and security measures, urging a need for consumer vigilance and enhanced protective practices.
In a recent alarming incident, Kuwaiti financial institutions have reported an increase in complaints from customers victimized by an advanced method of bank card hacking. This scheme results in unauthorized transactions through legitimate local shopping websites, permitting fraudsters to extract funds from victims’ bank accounts.
The evolving nature of card fraud has introduced a novel approach targeting users of popular Kuwaiti e-commerce sites. Customers make legitimate purchases only to later find their accounts drained by withdrawals originating from countries such as Italy, even as they remain in Kuwait. The process typically involves customers attempting contactless payments, receiving notifications that the transactions failed, prompting them to re-enter their card information. Subsequently, they are notified of unauthorized deductions from their accounts.
This hacking technique capitalizes on vulnerabilities within local e-commerce platforms, enabling fraudsters to steal card data stored on users’ devices. With this information, hackers can make numerous withdrawals, often depleting the card’s limit before the victim notices the issue. By the time customers alert their banks, their accounts may have already been substantially compromised.
Discrepancies arise concerning accountability between banks and victims. Banking representatives assert that customers are at fault for sharing One-Time Passwords (OTPs). They contend that regulatory bodies, including the Central Bank of Kuwait, bear no obligation to reimburse victims or retrieve lost funds, claiming transactions were authorized with valid OTPs. Conversely, victims maintain they adhered to proper payment protocols and argue that many stores misrepresented supported payment services, indicating that the websites were infected and the responsibility should not fall on them.
As this unauthorized financial activity escalates, customers are urged to take preventive measures to safeguard their financial assets. They should be cautious while making purchases on unfamiliar sites, avoid sharing sensitive information, and routinely monitor bank statements for suspicious transactions. Such practices can help mitigate the risks associated with e-commerce and protect consumers from becoming future victims of this persistent problem.
In conclusion, the recent surge in bank account hacking incidents in Kuwait, stemming from compromised shopping websites, highlights critical vulnerabilities in the digital payment landscape. The ongoing dispute regarding responsibility between banks and victims necessitates greater transparency and improved security measures for online transactions. Consumers must remain vigilant and adopt protective measures to safeguard their financial information against these evolving threats.
Original Source: www.arabtimesonline.com
