In recent months, bank customers have received calls from persons claiming that the customer's bank and payment card information has been compromised. However, we would like to remind you that the caller is not actually a bank employee, but rather a criminal who is trying to obtain sensitive banking user IDs and card PINs from the customer.

After convincing the customer that they are on the right track, the criminal may tell the customer that they will pick up the phone to "clean" it. They also ask the customer to hand over their payment card.

Phone unlock codes, online banking and Mobile key user IDs are often already phished during the call, or the customer is asked to hand them over when picking up the device.

When a customer gives all this information and tools to a "bank employee", they are effectively giving the criminal access to their own bank. Criminals have used the information obtained in this way to withdraw cash from ATMs or purchase valuable goods that are easy to resell.

In my opinion, the best way to protect yourself from this type of crime is to stop and think. Would you give the keys to your home to a stranger who claims to do the right thing? The same principle also applies to banking matters.

Both banking user IDs and card PINs are keys to a customer's funds and must be protected. Personal user IDs should not be given to anyone and I remind you again that a real bank, police or other authority would never ask for them.

If you suspect you have been scammed, contact your bank immediately. You can reach OP Deactivation Service‍ at +3581000555, which is a good number to save in your phone.

The author works at OP Pohjola as an expert in combating means of payment fraud. On OP Media's blog, they write about safe payments and fraud protection.