ADIB introduces special security measures following recent attacks on UAE banking system

Following information circulated by the UAE Central Bank about a possible breach of security from outside the country affecting all UAE banks, the bank immediately activated a highest priority fraud prevention plan that quickly identified any customers at increased risk and took the necessary steps to safeguard their banking details.

Security measures which the bank implemented included contacting all customers requesting that they change their PIN number, blocking all withdrawals from ATMs outside the GCC and blocking all card transactions in a defined number of countries outside the GCC, based on information given to the bank about fraudulent activity. The limited number of customers that were identified as being at increased risk were contacted separately and advised that they will be issued with new cards shortly, and requested to change their PINs in the meantime. As an additional safeguard, the bank automatically lowered the daily cash withdrawal limits on the affected customers' accounts, which the customers can increase again by contacting the branches directly.

Mr Tirad Mahmood, CEO of ADIB, comments:

"Thanks to the Central Bank's swift communication with all the banks in the UAE, ADIB was able to activate an internal plan which has no doubt prevented further abuse of our customers' accounts. While we understand that some customers have been caused some inconvenience by the measures undertaken, these steps have been vital in limiting the exposure of our customers further to these attacks. To date, only a very small number of fraudulent transactions have been reported by customers and are now under investigation. I can confirm that ADIB will fully recompense all customers whose accounts have been subject to fraudulent activity."

ADIB today launches a new section on its website with tips on how customers can better protect themselves from illegal attacks on their bank accounts, now and in the future.

The new website section lists what the bank is doing to safeguard its customers' accounts from fraudulent use, including the recent special security precautions undertaken. In addition the site gives practical advice for customers, such as recommendations to:
• Change their PIN number regularly
• Keep their PIN number to themselves, and not share with anyone else
• Look at all account statements closely
• Sign up for SMS alerts that will be sent whenever any of the customers' ADIB cards are used, giving real-time information about transactions involving their bank accounts.

Mr Mahmood continues: "Unfortunately, we live in an age where this kind of incident we witnessed recently is no longer isolated. From a bank's perspective, it is crucial that we have the most sophisticated systems and trained personnel in place to monitor such situations and take appropriate action where needed. However customers also need to understand they themselves have a role to play as well and that there are small steps they can take to help protect themselves. Only by bank and customer working together will we be able to optimize our ability to defend ourselves from these attempts to defraud our customers of their money."