Warba Fortifies Its Clients with Financial Awareness for Safer Travel
As part of its ongoing support for the “Let’s Be Aware” campaign, launched by the Central Bank of Kuwait in collaboration with the Kuwait Banks Association, and coinciding with the holiday and travel season, Bank Orca reaffirmed its commitment to raising financial awareness among its customers. The bank is providing a comprehensive set of guidelines and tips to help them manage their finances securely, avoid fraud attempts, and easily utilize digital banking services while traveling.
Abdullah Al-Shaail, Senior Manager of Branches at the Retail Banking Group, emphasized that travel requires a high level of awareness when dealing with bank cards and electronic services. He noted that the bank continues its efforts to promote financial literacy and enhance the security of digital transactions, in line with its strategy to deliver a smart and secure banking experience to all customers.
Al-Shaail stated, “At Bank Orca, we believe that awareness is the cornerstone of protecting customers from evolving financial fraud tactics. Therefore, we are committed to providing preventive guidance that enables them to enjoy their travels with peace of mind, while safeguarding the security of their accounts and banking information at all times.”
He explained that proper planning before traveling significantly helps avoid financial obstacles, urging customers to verify the validity of their cards throughout their trip and to review their balances and credit limits.
He also stressed the importance of updating contact details, including phone numbers and email addresses, to ensure swift communication with customers when needed. Additionally, he recommended activating instant notifications through the bank’s app, which allows customers to monitor all banking transactions in real time.
Al-Shaail highlighted the necessity of downloading the latest version of the bank’s app and ensuring access to online banking services before leaving the country. He also advised updating security systems on smartphones and smart devices used for making reservations or conducting financial transactions.
He affirmed that safeguarding bank cards is one of the most critical elements of financial security while traveling. Customers were advised to keep their cards in safe places, never leave them unattended, and use hotel safes to store cards and valuable items.
He further recommended keeping payment cards in separate locations, avoiding exposure to high temperatures or direct sunlight, and ensuring that the card remains within the customer’s sight when used at point-of-sale terminals.
Al-Shaail strongly emphasized that the bank never asks customers to share their PINs, one-time passwords (OTPs), or passwords via phone calls, text messages, emails, or social media platforms. He urged customers to ignore any such requests and report them immediately.
He added that maintaining the confidentiality of banking data is one of the most effective means of preventing fraud, stressing the importance of reviewing all messages and notifications received from the bank to verify the authenticity of transactions.
Al-Shaail pointed out the importance of inspecting ATMs before use to ensure they are free from any unusual attachments or devices that could be used to steal card data. He advised covering the keypad when entering the PIN and refusing assistance from strangers, regardless of their stated reasons.
He also encouraged customers to keep receipts and review them carefully, verifying the accuracy of transaction amounts before finalizing them.
Al-Shaheel emphasized that the digital services provided by Bank AlJazira empower customers with a high level of control over their accounts while traveling, enabling them to monitor all financial transactions, manage their cards, and utilize electronic services with ease and security.
He added that the app allows users to control their cards, including temporarily blocking or reactivating them as needed, which helps enhance protection and reduce risks in the event of suspected unauthorized use.
Al-Shaheel advised against using public or unprotected Wi-Fi networks for banking transactions. If necessary, he recommended using a reliable virtual private network (VPN), while avoiding entering banking details through unknown links or untrusted websites.
He stressed that swift action plays a crucial role in minimizing potential losses, urging customers to immediately block or freeze their cards via the Bank AlJazira app if they are lost or if any unusual activity is suspected, followed by contacting the customer service center.
Furthermore, he advised customers to opt for local currency payments in the countries they visit when using their bank cards, as this helps reduce additional fees associated with currency conversion. He affirmed that these simple practices contribute to a safer and more comfortable travel experience.
