Dubai - The two-minute video starts with a male customer calling the bank claiming that his entire account was wiped out.
Published: Sun 30 Jun 2019, 12:00 AM
Updated: Mon 1 Jul 2019, 1:12 AM
Because the fight against cyber fraud is also a battle of wit and creativity, a leading UAE bank has upped the ante with its music video conveying the message with a swag.
Combining deadpan wit and honest-to-goodness advice, Emirates NBD produced a parody of It Wasn't Me, the popular hit song by Jamaican rapper Shaggy.
The two-minute video starts with a male customer calling the bank claiming that his entire account was wiped out after receiving an email that he has to rectify his payment issue by sending his bank details and password.
But the bank manager plainly said: "It wasn't me" and rolled off to rap, in typical Jamaican voice and diction, how hackers are always prowling on unsuspecting individuals.
The client said he gave in because the fraudster was so persistent: "Messaged me on WhatsApp", "called me in the shower" and "told me I won the lottery". To which, the banker replied with a refrain: "It wasn't me".
Viewers reacted: "Can't stop laughing. Security awareness done right! Good job. Genius! At least we'll be more careful next time.
They also got the point not to be clumsy in sharing personal banking details.
Now, drop the mic, EmiratesNBD.
#SecureYourAccount in 1 step: Don't divulge banking info
Banks would never call or email and ask their customers to reveal personal details such as online or mobile banking credentials and passwords; card PIN (personal identification number) or the three-digit CVV (card verification value), authorities reiterated on Sunday. They called on residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious emails, links, websites or calls immediately.
This came as the Dubai Police teamed up with Emirates NBD to launch a #SecureYourAccount campaign that is aimed at raising public awareness on cybersecurity.
The police said the number of cybercrime cases has been going up in recent years. Brigadier Jamal Salem Al Jallaf, director of the general department of criminal investigation, said: "In the last three years, around 811 cases of cybercrime have been reported to us. This requires strengthening efforts and intensifying our work with partners to reduce such crimes. Cases have been reported inside and outside the country and many of them have been resolved."
Abdulla Qassem, group chief operating officer at Emirates NBD, called cybercrime a "global threat" that demands a collective approach between banks, law enforcement agencies, the media and end users.
Since fraudsters are "cunning and aggressive", the police said it was important to raise public awareness. "We will work to achieve our objectives of the campaign by publishing awareness videos on our social media accounts," Brig Al Jallaf said.
Ahmed Al Marzouqi, executive vice-president & head of retail distribution, Emirates NBD, added: "As fraudsters develop sophisticated means of accessing confidential data, human error remains the biggest vulnerability when it comes to fighting cybercrime. Our current campaign is aimed at educating and engaging consumers to join hands with banks and law enforcement authorities in our collective efforts against cyber-crime."
angel@khaleejtimes.com
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