ATM and Mobile Banking Balances Can Be Drained: How to Avoid Phishing Scams

In the digital age, financial activities such as money transfers, bill payments, and financial service applications can now be done solely via mobile phones. However, alongside this convenience, cybercrime threats are on the rise, targeting less vigilant internet users. One of the most common fraud tactics is phishing. This cybercrime involves deceiving victims into providing sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, OTP codes, and banking details. Perpetrators typically impersonate official entities to trick victims into unwittingly handing over personal data. To avoid becoming a victim, it is crucial to understand the various phishing methods used by criminals and the preventive measures that can be taken. Details follow, as summarised from the official social media of the Financial Services Authority (OJK) on Monday, 1 June 2026. What is Phishing? Phishing is a fraudulent method aimed at stealing sensitive information by impersonating a trusted party. The obtained data can be used to access victims’ accounts, conduct illegal transactions, or drain bank or digital wallet balances. This tactic continues to evolve with technological advancements, necessitating heightened public vigilance against the various phishing schemes circulating online. Types of Phishing to Watch Out For 1. Email Phishing Perpetrators send emails that appear to come from official institutions. The design, logos, and language used are often very similar to the genuine ones, making them hard to distinguish. Victims are typically asked to click on links or provide personal details under the pretext of account verification, data updates, or claiming rewards. 2. Fake Websites The next tactic involves creating counterfeit websites that mimic official company, bank, or digital platform pages. Perpetrators forge domain addresses and page designs to deceive victims. When users enter their usernames and passwords, the data is immediately stolen. 3. Fake Wi-Fi Hotspots Perpetrators can also set up Wi-Fi networks that mimic official ones in public places such as shopping centres, airports, or cafes.