Access Bank warns Nigerians over fake promo scams targeting bank details

Access Bank has warned Nigerians to be careful with unsolicited promotions, discounts and online offers, saying fraudsters are using them to steal banking details. The bank said customers should never share their One-Time Password (OTP), Card Verification Value (CVV), Personal Identification Number (PIN) or card details to claim any offer or reward.

The warning comes as more Nigerians rely on cards, mobile banking and other electronic channels for shopping, flight bookings and everyday payments. That shift has made digital transactions faster, but it has also widened the space for fraudsters to operate.

How the scammers work

According to Access Bank, fraudsters often disguise themselves as trusted banks, retailers and other businesses. They dangle discounts, gift cards and other attractive offers to push victims into handing over details that can be used for unauthorised transactions.

The bank said such messages should be treated with caution, especially when the sender asks for confidential banking credentials. Scammers may also create a sense of urgency to make victims click suspicious links or release information that exposes their accounts.

"Never share your OTP, CVV, PIN or card details to claim any offer," the bank warned in its fraud-prevention advisory to customers.

Banking credentials like OTPs, PINs and CVVs are particularly sensitive because they are used to authenticate financial transactions and open access to accounts. Fake promotions, phishing messages and impersonation remain among the common tactics criminals use to obtain them.

What to do if you suspect exposure

Access Bank advised customers to verify suspicious messages and promotions through its official communication channels instead of replying to unsolicited requests.

Anyone who suspects their banking information has been compromised can block their account from any phone by dialling 901911#.

Customers can also reach Tamada, the bank's 24-hour virtual banking assistant, through the Access More application. To use the service, log into the app, select "Support" and click on "Chat with Tamada."

The bank urged customers to stay vigilant as online shopping, travel bookings and digital payments become more common, and to avoid sharing sensitive details with anyone claiming they need the information to process a promotion or reward.

Why it matters for Nigerian bank customers

The advisory lands amid a mixed picture on fraud losses. Digital payment fraud losses fell by 51 per cent, yet Nigerian banks and financial institutions still lost N25.85 billion in 2025.

For consumers, that means the drop in losses is no reason to relax. A single shared OTP or CVV can wipe out an account balance before the victim realises what happened. For merchants and PoS operators, verifying payments before releasing goods remains the safest line of defence.