eBucks, the reward of choice, has recently introduced new measures to enhance the security of its rewards internet portal and protect its members from online fraud and phishing attacks.

Phishing is an ever-increasing phenomenon with countless incidents reported on a daily basis. Online financial institutions are most affected by phishing incidents and these organisations are consistently monitoring and improving their security systems to combat phishing and online fraud incidents. eBucks is no different. Online security is a top priority.

eBucks has taken an innovative approach to combating this scourge and by combining consumer insight with a new advanced technology, have installed an 'early warning' system. This alerts eBucks to any unusual behaviour on the rewards website and potential problem-makers are flagged immediately and blocked from the site before any real damage can be done.

The system has been fully functional for the past three months and eBucks has since enjoyed a zero penetration rate. In other words, due to eBucks' innovative approach to online fraud prevention and the various systems they have put in place to ensure consumer online security, they have successfully reduced online fraud incidents to zero incidents as well as reduced phishing attacks to zero since inception. "The success rate of the new system is clear," says eBucks CIO Benjamin Marais."

Marais reminds members, however, that a spike in online crime is expected over the festive season, so members must remember to take care in not giving their personal information out via e-mail. "eBucks will never ask you to update your access details such as PINS or passwords, via email. Updates can only be made online after logging onto the eBucks website securely. Please do not respond to any requests for access information that you may receive via e-mail. Identity fraud and online phishing is a crime we all need to fight together."

About eBucks:

eBucks, the rewards programme offered by First National Bank (FNB) and RMB Private Bank, is acknowledged as one of South Africa's leading rewards programmes with highly active members spending in excess of 80% of the eBucks earned in any given month.