Cybercrime Warning

Cybercrimes are crimes which are directed at computers or other devices, and these devices are integral to an offence. Common types of cybercrime include hacking, online scams and fraud, identity theft, attacks on computer systems and illegal or prohibited online content

Bank hacks is becoming a trend by hackers to illegitimately gain larger and more lucrative advantages from the banking sector and experts warn that bank hacking attempts is likely to increase. Facing this new criminal trend, BDL defended the integrity of the Lebanese payments system by Circular N° 144 “Prevention of cybercrime” where MEAB bank is fully compliant and committed to its requirements and the bank has implemented the necessary cyber-security systems and protocols to protect our databases. Because the effect of cybercrime can be extremely upsetting and because customers’ cooperation is highly important to efficiently fight cyber attacks, we present below few preventive steps for you to follow during your banking operations to better protect yourself against the risks of cyber attacks:

• Dedicate a specific email account for your banking operations and do not share it on social networking sites. Remember: This account should not be mentioned on your business card.
• Always use the “Forward” option to reply to the e-mails you receive and never click on the "Reply" button.
• Be alert for any sudden modification of your correspondent / counterparty details (name, bank account, address, phone number, etc.)
• Be suspicious of all e-mail messages containing details or instructions from your correspondent / counterparty that you not used to receive.
• Always confirm any change of your correspondent / counterparty   with a phone call using the phone number that you usually use.
• Pay attention: Malicious programs could be embedded in certain emails you receive with suspicious suffixed attachments (i.e. «.exe», «.cox», «.com», «.dll», «.scr», «.pif», «.shs », «.dif», «.vbs», «.bat»). Do not open unless you are fully sure of the sender and the content.
• Do not check your e-mails and accessing financial data (e-banking) when you are using a public WIFI.
• Protect your computers with genuine anti-virus software and update it permanently;
• Be sure to scan all USBs and other devices before they are connected to your network;
• Create “difficult-to-guess” passwords, avoid using the same password for multiple e-mail accounts and online sites, never share them with anyone and change them  regularly
• Lock your computer before leaving your place
• Never use public computers for banking or commercial activities;

Further to BDL Circular number 144, MEAB bank urge you to refer to the attached cybercrime prevention guide which was developed in collaboration between the Special Investigation Commission (SIC), the Association of Banks in Lebanon (ABL), and the Internal Security Forces (ISF), to gain valuable insights in this regards.

مكافحة الجريمة الإلكترونية المالية في لبنان