Meezan Bank has denied reports of a “data breach” after numerous customers raised concerns on social media about unauthorized transactions from their debit and credit cards. The incidents, which reportedly involved large sums of money being transferred without the account holders’ knowledge, sparked rumors of a potential data leak. The reports prompted the bank to address the issue, issuing a statement on Thursday in which it assured its customers that their data remained secure.
In a customer advisory, Meezan Bank categorically rejected the claims of a data breach, stating, “the rumours regarding a data breach at Meezan Bank are entirely false.” The bank further emphasized its commitment to safeguarding customer information, reassuring users that “there has been no security breach whatsoever” and that their data was “completely safe with us.”
Meezan Bank also confirmed that the unauthorized transactions reported by several customers were linked to unsecured e-commerce transactions. It clarified that these transactions fell under the chargeback mechanism of International Payment Schemes, and as such, affected customers would be fully reimbursed. “All disputed transactions reported to the bank recently were unsecured e-commerce transactions. These transactions are covered under the chargeback mechanism of International Payment Schemes and are being fully reimbursed to the affected customers,” the bank stated in its advisory.
To further protect its customers, Meezan Bank urged users to exercise caution when making online purchases with their cards. The advisory specifically highlighted the importance of securing payment details and being vigilant about potential fraudulent activity when engaging in e-commerce.
Speaking to Dawn.com, Zaka reiterated that he had never used the card for internet banking or even at an ATM, which raised questions about how such a transaction could occur. “These were cards that I have never used for internet banking,” he said, noting that he had immediately reported the issue to Meezan Bank, which blocked the card and identified the activity as fraudulent. “I have never used the cards on the internet or even at the ATM, how could this happen?” he added. Although Zaka’s funds were reimbursed within three hours, he remained skeptical, suggesting that the incident might be linked to a “data breach,” especially considering the number of similar reports he had encountered.
Meezan Bank’s response to the growing number of complaints, and its assurance regarding the security of its systems, aims to quell fears of a broader data breach. However, the incident has raised awareness about the potential vulnerabilities in online transactions and the need for both customers and financial institutions to remain vigilant in safeguarding against fraudulent activity. As the situation continues to unfold, customers are encouraged to report any suspicious activity and take precautions when using their cards online.
