Akbank statement on social media security vulnerability claims: 'Through social engineering methods...'

Akbank issued a statement regarding the fraud grievances reported by some customers, which have recently been shared across various media outlets and social media channels, stating, "Claims that there is a security vulnerability and/or data leak in our bank's systems are absolutely baseless."

In a statement made on its social media account X, Akbank noted that providing services in accordance with standards suitable for developing technology, while observing the data security principles of its customers, is the Bank's primary priority.

The statement included the following:

"First and foremost, we would like to state that claims that there is a security vulnerability and/or data leak in our bank's systems are absolutely baseless. In this context, our bank takes and provides all necessary administrative and technical security measures regarding information systems, information and data security, within the scope of the Banking Law and related regulations, as well as the KVKK (Personal Data Protection Law) and related sub-regulations for the protection of our customers' personal data.

'CASES CARRIED OUT THROUGH SOCIAL ENGINEERING METHODS'

On the other hand, along with the entire banking and finance sector, our bank is in an intensive struggle against fraud cases to ensure our customers do not suffer grievances. In this context, parallel to our sector, many fraud attempts are prevented through measures taken by our bank, and customer grievances are averted. All of the limited number of cases mentioned in recent posts on social media and various media channels targeting our bank and containing baseless claims regarding the security of our bank's systems were meticulously examined by our bank at the time they occurred. As a result of the investigation, it was observed that these cases were carried out through social engineering methods, and all relevant customers were provided with the necessary information regarding their applications related to the incidents, and all their information requests were answered."

The statement, which emphasized that customer security and satisfaction are extremely important, underlined that all cases are being examined in detail and that all kinds of measures and actions, including the resolution of grievances, are being taken immediately.

The statement noted that bank customers are informed about ensuring the security of their own personal information, mobile banking passwords, and mobile devices, adding, "(Customers) are constantly informed and reminded, primarily about issues such as installing applications only from trusted sources in app stores to prevent the installation of applications that could jeopardize the security of mobile devices, not sharing personal mobile banking application passwords with anyone during phone calls, and not sharing sensitive personal information and passwords by entering non-bank websites and/or fake advertisements."

News Source: 12punto