KIB outlines guidelines and recommendations for card usage during travel season
Kuwait, ___ August 2022:
Kuwait International Bank (KIB) continues to enhance its program aimed at spreading financial literacy through its participation in the national ‘Let's Be Aware’ banking awareness campaign. The Bank recently laid out a set of precautionary tips and instructions to the public on how to safely use bank cards during travels, in order to protect their banking assets and personal data from thefts, hacks and other risks.
Generally discussing the optimal way to use bank cards and maintaining the privacy of their data, General Manager of Information Security, Privacy and Anti-Fraud Department at KIB Basil Alsuwaidan recommended firstly downloading the KIB mobile application and activating either its notification messages or SMS services, to follow up and monitor the card's usage and banking operations that were carried out using it. He also recommended keeping the bank's telephone contact numbers in hand, as well as keeping the card away from direct sunlight to prevent its damage.
Alsuwaidan warned against writing or keeping the cards’ PIN numbers - or sharing its One-Time-Passcode (OTP) for online purchases. He also warned not to use Wi-Fi networks or public computers to access the bank's website and login to bank accounts, and not to open a message asking to click on any internet link on smartphones or computers. Alsuwaidan stressed that KIB will never ask its customers or anyone else for any personal information or data such as username or password, banking card numbers or other data, or any OTPs, neither verbally via a phone call, nor via email text, SMS, or WhatsApp messaging with KIB.
Alsuwaidan also pointed out the necessity of double checking the validity and functionality of bank cards when travelling, and the adequacy of credit cards limits. He also stressed the importance of communicating with the bank and notifying it on the countries to be visited and cards to be used, in order to avoid stopping the cards. “Banks are always precautionary and want to protect their customers by blocking the card if they suspect unusual payments or withdrawals made in some countries”, he advised.
The Bank outlined a series of instructions for its customers with regard to their banking transactions and the use of their bank cards outside Kuwait. Alsuwaidan advised to always choose to pay with the local currency of the country and not in Kuwaiti dinars for any payment process conducted through a “Point of Sale” device, as not to incur additional fees for exchange and transfer. He also advised to double check the screen to confirm the amount before entering the password to complete the payment, and not to leave the line “Tip” or “Total amount” blank, or to draw a line to cross out the empty space and avoid any fraud. Customers need to keep the receipts of rejected transactions, to refer to it if requested.
Alsuwaidan also called on customers to always be careful when using ATMs and withdrawing money, whether inside or outside Kuwait, warning against the presence of any electronic device connected to the device, or any person approaching at an unsafe distance, not to mention asking for any help from anyone. This is in addition to making sure to use the machines belonging to banks, and avoid those located in unusual places, and not to leave the ATM receipt on the machine. He also stressed that customers should immediately communicate with the bank if a card gets stuck inside an ATM, and without leaving until the bank confirms that the card is blocked.
Lastly, Alsuwaidan recommended changing the cards’ passwords immediately after returning from the trip upon checking all card account statements and reviewing them with receipts. He strongly advised to inform the bank immediately when there are any discrepancies, unfamiliar withdrawals, or suspicious transactions - continuing to do so on a regular basis through any KIB branch or one of its ATMs.
Concluding his remarks, Alsuwaidan confirmed KIB’s commitment to support its customers during their stay abroad, and that it is available around the clock to communicate with them through many means and channels that suit them, including calling to the Contact Center on the number: (+965 22957300) which is designated for international calls. As such, Alsuwaidan indicated, it is always preferable for customers to activate the mobile roaming service from their telecommunications network, or to inform the bank of an alternative contact number, in order to reach them while abroad.
As for digital communication services, they include the Live Chat and KIB Online service, both on the bank’s website www.KIB.com.kw, through the video call service via the “KIB Mobile” application on smart phones, or through the KIB service via the WhatsApp account registered with the local bank number (+1 866 866) for general inquiries about products and services.
