Sanlam addresses fraudulent loan scam
Sanlam Namibia has warned clients to remain on guard with regards to a new scam doing the rounds, and implicating the insurance group.
Over the past two weeks, the company said it received numerous complaints from clients and members of the public, who alerted it to a chain e-mail letter soliciting sensitive information for the promise of a loan from Sanlam.
“Recent e-mail letters purporting to be from an employee of Sanlam have been circulating and forwarded to targeted individuals,” Sanlam Group CEO Tertius Stears, said.
“In the e-mail letters, it is claimed that Sanlam now offers personal loans. The e-mail letter further prompts the recipient to provide all personal details, including proof of income, to complete an ‘acceptance form’, and to submit their bank details for a debit order deduction,” Stears said.
“If you receive a similar e-mail, please be cautious and don’t hesitate to contact Sanlam”, he added.
In helping clients verify the validity of correspondence from Sanlam, he said the company would never ask for any upfront payment in order to process a loan application, while use of a ‘.com’ email address should also signal warning lights.
Other dead give-aways include spelling and linguistic errors in the communication, or use of Sanlam’s old, discontinued logo.
“We urge the public to trust their gut feeling if approached with random policy offers from those who claim to be employed by Sanlam,” Stears said.
“Please ensure that you do not give personal details when prompted. It is unfortunate that there are many that do fall prey and it’s too late once they have engaged with such scams. Annually, we warn our clients and the public; however, such incidences continue being reported after a client has been robbed of their money”.
Other signs of a fraudulent communication include letters not dated, the absence of the Sanlam office’s physical office address, or letters addressed ‘dear esteemed customer’.
Sanlam, Stears said, generally sends personalised letters to clients.
Finally, the insurance group does not offer personal loans, as suggested in the most recent scam.
DENVER ISAACS
Over the past two weeks, the company said it received numerous complaints from clients and members of the public, who alerted it to a chain e-mail letter soliciting sensitive information for the promise of a loan from Sanlam.
“Recent e-mail letters purporting to be from an employee of Sanlam have been circulating and forwarded to targeted individuals,” Sanlam Group CEO Tertius Stears, said.
“In the e-mail letters, it is claimed that Sanlam now offers personal loans. The e-mail letter further prompts the recipient to provide all personal details, including proof of income, to complete an ‘acceptance form’, and to submit their bank details for a debit order deduction,” Stears said.
“If you receive a similar e-mail, please be cautious and don’t hesitate to contact Sanlam”, he added.
In helping clients verify the validity of correspondence from Sanlam, he said the company would never ask for any upfront payment in order to process a loan application, while use of a ‘.com’ email address should also signal warning lights.
Other dead give-aways include spelling and linguistic errors in the communication, or use of Sanlam’s old, discontinued logo.
“We urge the public to trust their gut feeling if approached with random policy offers from those who claim to be employed by Sanlam,” Stears said.
“Please ensure that you do not give personal details when prompted. It is unfortunate that there are many that do fall prey and it’s too late once they have engaged with such scams. Annually, we warn our clients and the public; however, such incidences continue being reported after a client has been robbed of their money”.
Other signs of a fraudulent communication include letters not dated, the absence of the Sanlam office’s physical office address, or letters addressed ‘dear esteemed customer’.
Sanlam, Stears said, generally sends personalised letters to clients.
Finally, the insurance group does not offer personal loans, as suggested in the most recent scam.
DENVER ISAACS
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