There are an increasing number of incidents where consumers are being duped into entering fictitious bank web-sites, thinking they are authentic web-sites, when they are in fact spoof sites - or sites that are fictitiously 'mirroring' authentic sites.
With this trend on the increase, consumers should be more vigilant and should not just assume that banks will be in a position to assure them of safe electronic banking.
So said Christopher Riley, founder of the community crime-fighting web-site, www.crimestop.co.za"The alarming thing is that banks are not closing down these spoof sites- or certainly, not nearly fast enough. If they do react, which seems to be less and less, it takes too long - and this creates great jeopardy for consumers. People should not rely on banks in this regard; they don't really see it as their responsibility."
However, according to some recent press reports, criminals are making such bold attacks on on-line banks that they are looking at ways of countering this scourge.
There was an exploratory meeting during April between key players in the banking and ISP industries to find ways to create a united front against criminals, although finer details are not yet forthcoming.
The discussion was organised by Straita, a specialist in delivering documentation securely by-email.
"But," said Riley, "while banks are showing concern and are talking to various quarters of the industry, nothing concrete has been resolved. At this stage it is just that - talk. Consumers, meanwhile, need to be aware of this. If banks are showing concern, this means there is cause for concern."
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