· Krishnan Menon
As the festive season draws near, fraudsters are sharpening their tactics, ready to prey on unsuspecting victims. Across the country, customers are increasingly anxious about the surge in vishing, phishing and SIM swap scams. The methods may vary, but the message is clear: people are worried, and rightly so. With every technological advancement comes a parallel rise in fraudsters’ sophistication, credibility and reach.
At Absa, we believe that worry should never be the default response. Instead, awareness and proactive action must take centre stage. The festive season is synonymous with heightened digital transactions, and unfortunately, that makes it prime time for criminals. Our mission is simple: to empower customers with knowledge and confidence, reducing vulnerability and silencing the fear that fraud thrives on.
Vishing involves fraudsters impersonating bank officials, network providers, Retail chains or security teams, using information gleaned from breaches or social media to sound convincing. Their goal is to pressure customers into divulging sensitive details. Phishing takes the form of fraudulent emails, SMS messages or social media links that lead to fake websites mimicking legitimate banking platforms. Once login credentials are entered, criminals gain instant access to accounts. Perhaps the most alarming trend is SIM swap fraud, where criminals hijack a customer’s mobile number by tricking network providers. This grants them access to OTPs and notifications, bypassing security measures and compromising accounts entirely. These scams are not mere inconveniences; they are violations of privacy, dignity and trust.
While Absa deploys world-class security technologies, fraud prevention is a shared responsibility. We stand firm in our commitment to educate and support customers, ensuring they feel confident navigating the digital space. Our festive campaign carries a clear message: stay alert, stay informed, stay protected. Customers often fall victim because they do not know what to look for, so we are addressing this through clear, accessible information across branches, digital platforms and media channels. Absa will never ask for PINs, passwords or OTPs, and customers should feel empowered to decline any such requests, no matter how convincing they seem. Technology is not the enemy; uninformed habits are. We encourage practices such as checking for secure links, never authorising transactions you did not initiate and ignoring unsolicited requests or suspicious links.
The strongest defence against fraud is early detection. By being proactive, dispelling myths, addressing concerns before they escalate and communicating clearly, we position ourselves as partners in protection, not just responders after the fact. Our teams remain vigilant, upgrading security protocols, closing vulnerabilities and collaborating with mobile providers and regulators to strengthen the financial ecosystem.
We advise that customers should never share PINs, passwords or OTPs with anyone. Verify calls by hanging up and dialling official Absa numbers. Ignore unsolicited links via SMS or email. Enable bank notifications and monitor account activity. Report suspicious behaviour immediately.
Fraud is not just a banking issue; it is a societal challenge. As criminals evolve, so must we. Together, we can ensure that this festive season is defined by joy, not anxiety. At Absa, we have got your back always. Through education, expertise and advocacy, we aim to keep you safe. But we need you as an ally too. Because when it comes to fraud prevention, teamwork is everything.
*Krishnan Menon serves as the Chief Operations Officer at Absa Bank Botswana
