Cibc Caribbean Warns of Scam Calls
CIBC Caribbean is alerting customers to an uptick in fraudulent calls made via Google Meet and social media apps using email addresses such as cibccustomer*@gmail.com. The bank says it will never request confidential information or remote access and asks customers to report suspicious contacts to fraud@cibccaribbean.com or the number on the back of their card.
ROAD TOWN, Tortola — CIBC Caribbean has issued a warning to customers after reports of scam calls made through Google Meet and social media applications aimed at obtaining sensitive banking information. In an advisory, the bank said fraudsters are contacting people from email addresses that resemble cibccustomer*@gmail.com and that these communications are not affiliated with CIBC Caribbean.
Customers were urged not to answer or engage with calls from that address or similar variations. CIBC Caribbean emphasised that legitimate representatives will never contact customers via social media, text message, email, or an unsolicited phone call to request confidential information.
The bank listed specific items it will never ask for, including One-Time Verification Codes (OTVCs), Personal Identification Numbers (PINs), debit or credit card numbers, CVV security codes, expiration dates, email passwords, or online banking login credentials. Customers were also warned never to download remote desktop applications or click on suspicious links at the request of someone claiming to be from the bank.
The advisory asks customers who receive a suspicious call or message to avoid engaging with the sender and to report the incident immediately. Affected customers should email CIBC Caribbean’s Fraud Team at fraud@cibccaribbean.com and, where possible, include a screenshot of the call or message.
Customers who believe they have already shared personal information are advised to contact the number on the back of their bank card to speak directly with the bank. For residents of the British Virgin Islands, the warning is a timely reminder to be cautious: many households and businesses in the Territory depend on electronic banking for payroll, supplier payments and tourism-related transactions.
Fraud that compromises an account can have an outsized impact on small firms and individual households here. Local customers should also consider reporting fraud attempts to the BVI Police and regularly monitoring account activity for unauthorised transactions. The bank thanked customers for their vigilance and cooperation, saying protection of personal and financial information remains a top priority.
As a precaution, customers are encouraged to enable multi-factor authentication where available, update passwords regularly, and inform family members and staff about the scam tactics to reduce the risk of falling victim.
Primary source: Guavaberry