Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, popularly known as GTBank, has confirmed an attempt to compromise its website domain.
GTBank disclosed that its information security experts are currently working round the clock to restore the domain settings.
The bank’s management disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday in Lagos State.
The bank said that the hacking attempt occurred on Wednesday, a day after the bank renewed its domain name, causing a temporary disruption to the website, which left customers unable to access online services.
It allayed concerns about customer data being compromised, noting that the bank did not store customer information on its website.
The bank said: “Our attention has been drawn to reports in the media alleging that hackers have seized the bank’s website, cloned it, and intercepted customers data.
“This led to widespread concern and media reports suggesting that the bank’s website had been cloned, potentially putting customer data at risk. The incident was unsuccessful and its website was not cloned.
“While there was an isolated incident of an attempt to compromise our website domain, we would like to assure all our customers and stakeholders that the bank’s website has not been cloned and that we do not store customer information on our website.
“As such, there has been no instance of compromise of customer data.
According to the bank, the financial institution’s information security experts are currently working round the clock to restore the domain settings shortly.
The bank reassured of its unwavering commitment to safeguarding customer data, urging customers to remain calm and confident in the bank’s robust security measures.
“We urge all our customers to please disregard the claims in these media reports and assure you of our unwavering commitment to safeguarding customer data,” it added.
No disruption in our online transactions – GTBank customers
Meanwhile, some customers of GTBank in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) say they have been doing their online transactions without hitches.
The customers who spoke to NAN in Abuja on Thursday, were reacting to reports that the bank’s customers were experiencing difficulties in doing online transactions.
Mr Solomon Ukah, a customer of the bank told NAN that he had done three different online transactions without hitches.
Ukah said that although a friend told him of the development, he did not believe because non of his online transactions failed.
”I heard about it but today, I have done three different transactions and all of them were successful.
”I even contacted people that I sent the monies to and they confirmed receipt of the monies,” he said.
Mrs Blessing Alinta, also a customer of the bank, said she recharged her phone and cable television through her bank.
”I am not aware of it but what I know is that I loaded my phone through my bank account and there was no delay,” she said.
Another customer, Mr Albert Okilo, said that he withdrew the cash in his GTBank account immediately he heard the news.
”I quickly transferred my money from GTB to my other banks but surprisingly, they all went through.
”I do not think that this hacking news is real,” he said.
Meanwhile, GTBank in a statement assured its customers and stakeholders that the bank’s website had not been cloned.
The bank said ”Alleged Web Domain Hack: GTBank Provides Clarity” read, “Our attention has been drawn to reports in the media alleging that hackers have seized the bank’s website, cloned it, and intercepted customer data.
”While there was an isolated incident of an attempt to compromise our website domain, we would like to assure all our customers and stakeholders that the bank’s website has not been cloned.
”We do not store customer information on our website and as such, there has been no instance of compromise of customers data,” the bank said.
GTBank in the statement said the bank’s Information Security experts were currently working round the clock to restore domain settings.
The bank reaffirmed its commitment toward safeguarding customer data.
The bank appealed to customers to remain calm and confident in the bank’s robust security measures.
“Our dedicated team of Information Security Experts is currently working round the clock to restore domain settings, and we can assure our customers that our website will be up shortly.
“We urge all our customers to please disregard the claims in these media reports and we assure you of our unwavering commitment to safeguarding customer data.
”Thank you for your continued support,” the bank said.