Al Ahli Offers Travel Tips to Customers
Kuwait National Bank continues its awareness initiatives as part of the “Let’s Be Aware” campaign, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Kuwait and the Kuwait Banks Association, reaffirming its ongoing commitment to enhancing financial literacy and protecting customer rights. On this occasion, the bank provided a set of essential guidelines and recommendations for its customers traveling during the holiday season, aiming to equip them with the necessary knowledge to manage their accounts and bank cards securely, and to avoid cyber risks or fraud that may occur abroad.
Customers are advised to ensure that SMS alerts or app notifications are activated to monitor transactions in real time, and to refrain from sharing their card PIN or One-Time Password (OTP) with any third party. When making payments abroad, customers should opt to pay in the local currency of the country they are visiting, rather than Kuwaiti Dinar, to avoid potentially unfavorable exchange rates imposed by foreign point-of-sale terminals.
Additionally, customers should avoid using public Wi-Fi networks for any banking transactions, and steer clear of ATMs located in dark streets or small shops. Instead, they should rely on ATMs belonging to reputable banks, preferably those located inside bank branches, and inspect them to ensure no skimming devices or other foreign attachments have been installed to steal data.
The bank urged customers to verify that their contact numbers and personal details are up to date to ensure the continuous receipt of security and verification messages. The bank emphasized that customer awareness is the first line of defense against fraud, and that it is committed to providing its customers with the necessary tools to protect their funds worldwide. In the event of a lost card or suspicion of unauthorized transactions, customers should immediately block their card via the bank’s mobile application or by contacting the “Ahlan Ahly” customer service center at 1899899, which operates around the clock.
Customers are also advised not to interact with untrusted links and to visit only official websites and applications to process payments. The bank encouraged everyone to visit its branches or mobile app before traveling to verify their daily withdrawal and spending limits for their cards, to prevent them from being blocked while abroad.
Furthermore, the bank recommended that when downloading local applications specific to the country of visit—such as train ticketing, food delivery, or taxi-hailing apps—customers should pay as guests and immediately delete their card details after completing the transaction, avoiding the activation of auto-save options on untrusted sites.
