FirstBank denies FirstMobile hack, says customers' funds are safe

First Bank of Nigeria has dismissed viral claims that its FirstMobile banking app was compromised, describing the message as false and misleading. The bank says the application remains secure and fully operational, and that customers' funds are safe.

The controversy followed the circulation of a WhatsApp voice note alleging that FirstMobile had suffered a security breach. With digital banking now central to everyday transactions in Nigeria, claims about the security of a major banking app can spread quickly and unsettle customers worried about their savings and personal information.

What FirstBank said

The lender stated unequivocally that the allegation that FirstMobile had been compromised was "false and misleading."

"FirstMobile is secure and fully operational, supported by robust information security infrastructure," the bank said.

FirstBank also assured customers and other stakeholders that their funds remained safe and that its digital banking channels were operating securely.

"We assure our customers and other stakeholders that their funds remain safe and secure," the bank said.

Cybersecurity spending

FirstBank said it continues to invest in technology and cybersecurity systems designed to protect customers and strengthen the resilience and reliability of its digital platforms. Those investments, according to the bank, cover FirstMobile and its other digital channels, at a time when financial institutions are confronting increasingly sophisticated cybersecurity threats and online fraud.

Ignore the voice note, bank tells customers

FirstBank advised customers to rely on information released through its verified communication channels. It urged members of the public to disregard the viral voice message and stop forwarding it to others, warning that sharing unverified information could create unnecessary concern among customers and stakeholders.

The bank encouraged customers seeking updates about its services to use its official communication platforms rather than anonymous voice notes and social media messages. It said customers should keep following verified security notices from the bank, particularly if any further information concerning FirstMobile or other digital services is released.

For now, FirstBank maintains that FirstMobile has not been compromised, its digital channels remain operational, and customers' funds are secure.

The denial follows a similar episode in which Access Bank reassured millions of customers that it was financially strong and fully operational after false reports on social media claimed the bank was shutting down. Access Bank described the viral message as fake and asked customers to rely only on updates released through its official communication channels.

What it means for customers

False security alerts can push anxious customers into hurried decisions, from repeated PIN changes to rushed transfers. FirstBank's statement is a reminder to treat unsourced voice notes as unverified until the bank confirms them through its own channels.