Access Bank Extinguishes Data Breach Rumour

Top financial institution, Access Bank Plc, has dispelled news circulating on the social media that it experienced a breach in customer data, assuring its customers that their banking information and data were safe.

The lender, in a statement issued by its Group Head, Corporate Communications, Mr Amaechi Okobi, said the latest development was no cause for alarm.

“Our attention has been drawn to some social media reports claiming a data breach of our systems. Access Bank herewith confirms that there is no cause for alarm.

“We would like to reassure all our stakeholders and the general public of the security and integrity of our banking platforms which at this time are the best-in-class.

“At Access Bank, we take the protection of our customers’ personal information very seriously and all our processes are in alignment with data protection global best practices and legislation in the various countries wherein we operate,” the statement said.

Access Bank further called on its customers to be watchful and wary of fraudsters seeking sensitive banking details.

Just a while ago, Unity Bank Plc was in the news for the same reason, an alleged data breach of some job seekers, but its Head of Corporate Communications, DeVoe Okorie, assured customers of the protection of their data while calling on them to remain vigilant by protecting their banking information.

“Our attention has been drawn to social media reports purporting a data breach of our systems.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Unity Bank wishes to reassure all customers that we take the protection of their personal information very seriously in accordance with data protection legislation.

“The bank hereby reassures its customers and the public at large, of the integrity of its systems, controls of which are continually enhanced in line with best practices, to forestall attempts at compromising confidential data.

We also implore all our esteemed customers and the public to be vigilant and not succumb to false and suspicious emails/text/calls/messages devised to mislead them into disclosing their personal details.”

Also recall that in 2018, a Nigerian hacker arrested by the Lagos State Police Command, Mr Michael Williams, had said financial institutions in Nigeria have a porous online banking system.

“Nigerian bank don’t have professional hackers to secure them online. They are not secured so I can easily hack into their account.

“When you are online, you can do whatever you want to do. I don’t have an account because you can easily be caught so I just do credit cards. You get an old credit card,” the then 28-year-old Mr Williams, who was a professional medical doctor turned hacker, had informed the police when he was paraded in the media two years ago.