Kuwait Finance House (KFH) conducted a community banking experiment to assess public banking awareness and offer guidance on the risks, types, and avoidance of financial fraud. This initiative is part of the Diraya banking awareness campaign, launched by the Central Bank of Kuwait in collaboration with the Kuwait Banking Association and Kuwaiti banks, and aligns with KFH`s corporate social responsibility efforts.

Conducted during the Derasti exhibition at the Kuwait International Fairground in Mishref, the experiment focused on testing students` banking knowledge. Its aim was to enhance financial awareness and highlight fraudulent activities customers may encounter through various channels, such as SMS, email, phone call, and social media.

The experiment elicited a range of responses from the students. Meanwhile, a KFH representative reassured the participating students that the bank would never solicit personal details through email, SMS, or phone call. KFH stressed the critical need to disregard such communications, identifying them as deceptive schemes aimed at acquiring banking credentials and pilfering funds or data.

KFH urged customers to safeguard their banking information by never sharing OTP codes and exercising caution with electronic links, as clicking them could lead to the theft of confidential data. The bank also advised enhancing account security by avoiding the storage of sensitive information like card numbers and PINs on phones, keeping PINs secret and unwritten, and always logging out of banking apps or websites after use.

KFH successfully utilized all its e-channels on social media platforms and its website, mobile app to disseminate awareness content. These endeavors amassed a significant interaction with customers due to the distinctive and useful contents of KFH`s cutting- edge services and products.

In conjunction with the rollout of its new digital services, KFH has published several awareness pieces. These services include Kuwait`s first instant printing of credit and prepaid cards, WAMD instant payment in collaboration with KNET, transfers via the Western Union network, and the AFAQ instant transfer service. KFH`s awareness efforts also encompass explanatory videos on topics such as new user registration on the mobile app, cardless cash withdrawals, ATM services, and how to benefit from KFHOnline financial solutions. These videos and other awareness posts are available on KFH`s social media channels (@KFHgroup).

In line with the continued awareness efforts, KFH is committed to participating in initiatives and forums that focus on raising banking awareness. These include its participation in the 5th Gulf Conference and Exhibition for Cybersecurity Challenges titled “A Secure Digital Environment”. During its participation, KFH shed light on the concept of fraud in general, with a specific focus on cyber fraud, explaining the various types of fraud that pose a threat to both individuals and the community.