Internet Banking Fraud
Victims In Costa Rica Can Claim Compensation
Bank customers who suffered a loss due to
internet fraud may soon get reimbursed
following a Sala I court decision that
allows victims of internet bank fraud to be
compensated.
The Asociación de Consumidores Libres
estimates that some us$8 million dollars of
some 300 customers were take from accounts
at various banking institutions in Costa
Rica.
Five of the 271 compliants filed with the
specialized fraud unit of the Fiscalía (Proesecutor's
office) claim they had money withdrawn from
their accounts by way of the internet even
though they do not have access to internet.
The complaints are from all areas of the
country.
Costa Rican judicial authorities
investigating internet banking fraud
estimate that more than half of the fraud
was committed by "phishing", the sending of
emails asking the receiver to log-in to
their bank account, while the log in
information is recorded and used by the
scamsters.
In other cases, malicious spyware installs a
program on the persons computer that "farms"
personal information. The malicious program
is usually delivered by email, the receiver
unsuspectingly installs the code when the
email is opened.
Typical redirection from emails mimics front
ends of legitimate bank websites, but in
reality are set up with the sole purpose of
harvesting log in information. Other tricks
include what appears a genuine email from
the person's bank informing of a problem
with their account or that the account has
been frozen, all in an effort to prompt the
receiver to open the email.
The only to protect from this type of fraud
is to constantly change your password, use a
strong anti-virus program that includes
email scans, the use of a "passkey" (a
changing additional code issued by some
banks) and just plain old common sense.
If you have been or believe to be a victim
of bank fraud in Costa Rica, you can call
the Asociación de Consumidores at 2221-5905
for more information. |
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