"Phishing" is an internet scam whereby fraudsters send emails with the intention to collect critical personal and financial information. These "phishing" emails look genuine and appear to be coming from a legitimate bank. They always contain a link to a "spoofed" website asking you to provide an update or confirm sensitive personal information and / or download and install “security software” by clicking on a link. Typically these emails will:

• Carry a message stating urgent action is required due to a system or security upgrade.
• Contain a warning stating that your account / card has been suspended or will be suspended and that you need to visit a “secure” link to activate or restore your account / card.
• Contain a link to update your contact details like mobile number or email address. Clicking on the link would open a webpage which may appear to be very similar to Citibank Online but would actually be a spoofed site.

How to protect yourself

• To access your account at Citibank Online always type www1.citibank.ae directly in the address bar of your browser.
• DO NOT click on any link contained in emails even if it claims to take you to your account at Citibank Online as the underlying hyperlink could lead to a malicious site.
• If you receive an email claiming to be from Citibank asking for your financial or confidential information or stating that your account has been suspended, do not respond. Forward the email to spoof@citicorp.com and then delete it from your inbox.
• Do not send sensitive personal or financial information unless it is encrypted on a secure website. Regular e-mails are not encrypted.
• In case you have inadvertently clicked on a link or responded to an email providing confidential information, please call our 24-hour Citiphone Banking Service at +971 4 3114000 immediately. Ensure to forthwith re-set your Citibank Online User Name, Password and ATM PIN/TPIN.
• Ensure to keep your PC / Smartphone updated with latest Operating system patches and security software from a trusted vendor (Antivirus, Anti malware and Anti spyware).
• Never download and install untrusted software as these may place key-loggers/malware on your PC/Smartphone which can capture all information that you type and send it to a hacker.
• Be careful when you use a PC at a public place or one not having the latest security software.
• Always log off by clicking on the “Log Out” / “Sign Out” icon on the Citibank Online website.
• Never store your password or account/card information on paper or electronically on word, excel or text documents. Always keep your PC/Smartphone protected with a password/PIN.
• When creating passwords, try and use a mixture of letters and numbers and do not use personal information, such as date of birth or mother’s maiden name.
• Never reply to emails that request your personal information and do not open emails from senders you do not recognize.

Top Tip!

• Citibank will never send you a communication asking for your confidential or sensitive information like Username, Password, Card or Account number, ATM PIN, Telephone PIN, OTP, Mothers maiden name, Date of birth etc.
• You can hover your mouse pointer over hyperlinks (or buttons) to see the underlying website URL.

"Vishing" is a fraudulent scam whereby fraudsters make phone calls with the intention to collect critical personal and financial information. The fraudster might telephone you claiming to be from Citibank, in an attempt to obtain your personal information and make fraudulent use of your card/s or to access your account/s.

How to protect yourself

• Do not assume a call is genuine because they know your name, or other personal information.
• Do not assume a call is genuine by the caller ID information.
• If you are suspicious say no to requests for information. To validate the call please call our 24-hour Citiphone Banking Service at +97143114000.

Top Tip!

• Citibank will never call you asking for confidential or sensitive information like Username, Password, Card or Account number.
• Citibank will never ask you to voice out your ATM PIN, Telephone PIN, and OTP.

Credit /debit card fraud is a crime when your credit / debit card can be reproduced in order to use the credit balance to obtain a financial benefit. The creation and/or alteration of a credit/debit card occur when the information contained on the magnetic strip is compromised. This type of crime is known as ‘skimming’.

Credit /debit card fraud can also occur when your card is lost or stolen and used by a third party to purchase goods or to withdraw cash from the cards.

Your cards can also be compromised by a dishonest merchant who undertakes unauthorized duplicate transactions on your card.

How to protect yourself

• Memorize your personal identification number (PIN). Don't use the same PIN for all your cards, and don't choose your birth date or other easily identifiable numbers that might be on something else in your wallet.
• Do not use the same ATM card/credit card PINs for accessing other services.
• Change your ATM card & credit card PIN regularly.
• Never disclose your PIN information to a third party and never store your PIN in a way that it could be recognized.
• If your PIN is lost or has been identified by another person, please contact your bank to report the case immediately.
• Check statements and call us immediately if you see anything suspicious on your statement.
• Always keep your cards in your possession and never let them out of your sight especially in restaurants.
• Always sign your card in ink as soon as you receive it.
• Be careful when disposing of receipts from card transactions, as they will contain sensitive information. If possible, shred all unwanted receipts.
• Do not give your card to another person to use.
• Try to use ATM’S which are positioned in busy, well lit areas and if you spot anyone suspicious hanging around do not use it.
• Fraudsters use devices to steal your card details and PIN so before you use an ATM, look for any signs of tampering or damage.
• Shield your PIN when authorizing purchases or making cash withdrawals from an ATM.
• If your card is retained call us immediately.

Paying by card is the most frequently used payment option and more and more customers’ everyday are opting to choose internet shopping. However we all need to be vigilant whilst shopping online to prevent ourselves from the possibility of falling victim to fraud.

This crime involves the theft of genuine card details that are then used to buy things over the internet or by phone, fax or mail. Always be aware of who you are dealing with.

How to protect yourself:

• Avoid entering your card details on shared or public computers.
• Always remember to log out of any websites where you’ve entered your card details.
• Only enter your card details on secure sites (i.e., those whose web address begins with ‘https’ and have a padlock in the browser window).
• Keep a close eye on your statements and report any fraudulent transactions immediately.