Landbank warns of phishing scam via Google Ads search

MANILA, Philippines — State-run Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) has called on its customers and the public to be extra vigilant amid an online scam via Google Ads leading to a fake website of the bank.

In an advisory, Landbank warned of an online scam using Google Ads that leads to a fake Landbank phishing website that is used to steal personal and financial information of customers.

Landbank said that it has not placed any advertisement on Google. “We are currently working with Google to bring down these misleading ads the soonest time possible,” it said.

The bank advised the public to directly visit the official Landbank website via http://www.landbank.com and use the available links located to access its digital banking channels, including its official iAccess page.

Customers can opt to bookmark the correct website of Landbank and iAccess for faster transactions.

The bank’s mobile banking application is also urged to be used for safer online transactions.

“We remind the public to be more critical of phishing websites masquerading as official Landbank websites, and to remain vigilant against phishing scams and all other forms of online banking fraud,” the bank said.

It said  that customers should not open suspicious emails, links and attachments. They should also not share their account and personal information to anyone, especially their one-time passwords, online passwords, and the credit verification value found at the back of every card.

The bank said its representatives would never ask for critical financial and banking information from its customers.