Antigua police warn of rising online banking fraud, urge vigilance

Antigua and Barbuda Police Force say they are seeing a “noticeable increase” in reports of electronic fraud and unauthorized banking transactions, warning residents to remain cautious.

In a statement, the police said several individuals have reported the sudden disappearance of funds from their accounts, describing the trend as a growing concern for law enforcement. “These matters have become a serious concern for the Police Administration,” the statement read.

To address the issue, the police are engaging with officials in the banking and financial sector to strengthen collaborative measures aimed at protecting customers and preventing fraud. They strongly advise residents not to disclose personal or banking information online, particularly in response to unsolicited emails, messages, phone calls, or suspicious websites.

Authorities also issued practical tips to reduce risk: never share PINs, passwords, one-time codes (OTPs), or security answers; avoid clicking unknown links in emails, texts, or social media posts; verify communications claiming to be from banks by contacting the institution directly; and enable transaction alerts to monitor account activity in real time.

The police reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding the public and urged anyone suspecting fraudulent activity to contact the Criminal Investigations Department or their banking institution immediately.