How to Spot and Act on Fraudulent Account Activity

You’re checking your phone before a meeting and see a notification pop up, indicating a charge you don’t recognize. Or worse, an OTP you didn’t request. Your heart skips a beat.

Is it a system malfunction or something more sinister and serious?

In moments like this, hesitation can cost you. The key is knowing how to spot fraudulent activity quickly—and exactly what to do next. The good news: with strong fraud awareness and the right response steps, you can limit risk and protect your finances.

What Makes an Account Activity “Suspicious”?

Not every unfamiliar charge is fraud. Sometimes it’s a delayed posting or a forgotten subscription. But certain patterns are clear red flags.

The goal is to train your eye to distinguish normal behavior from true suspicious transactions.

Here’s what to watch for:

1. Duplicate or Small “Test” Charges

Fraud often starts small. You might see two identical charges within minutes—or a tiny amount like ?50 or ?99 that you don’t recall authorizing.

Scammers sometimes run small “test transactions” to see if a card is active before attempting larger withdrawals. If you notice duplicate charges or unfamiliar micro-transactions, don’t ignore them. Even small irregularities deserve review.

Ask yourself:

• Did I recently subscribe to something?

• Does the merchant name look slightly misspelled?

• Did this charge appear right after I entered my card details somewhere new?

If something feels off, treat it seriously.

2. Unfamiliar Payees or Transfers

Another clear red flag is a fund transfer to a name you don’t recognize. This is considered suspicious activity, especially if:

• You did not initiate a transfer that day.

• The amount is unusual.

• The payee was newly added.

Review your transaction history regularly. If you see a payee added without your knowledge, that may indicate unauthorized access.

This is one of the clearest signs of fraudulent activity, so act immediately.

3. Sudden Credit Limit or Account Changes

Did your credit limit suddenly change? Was your contact number updated? Did you receive an email confirming a password reset you didn’t request?

These system-generated notifications matter.

Account setting changes without your action often indicate someone is attempting to gain deeper access. Sometimes fraudsters modify account details first before attempting withdrawals.

Never ignore update confirmations you did not initiate.

4. OTP Prompts You Didn’t Trigger

This is one of the biggest red flags in digital banking.

Someone may be attempting to access your account if you receive an SMS OTP without logging in or making a transaction.

Do not share the OTP and never assume it is just a glitch. An unexpected OTP means someone has your username or card information and is trying to complete a transaction.

In the world of digital banking safety, unexpected OTP messages should always be treated as urgent.

5. Fake Calls, Emails, or Messages From Your Bank

Scammers often impersonate banks. They may say your account is compromised and urge you to “verify” details.

Common cyber threat examples include:

• Calls claiming suspicious activity and asking for your OTP.

• Emails that look official but contain suspicious links.

• SMS messages with urgent language like “account suspended.”

Remember: RCBC will never ask for your password, PIN, or OTP.

Act Fast, Act Smart: What To Do Immediately

Recognizing the signs is only half the battle. What you do next determines how much damage is prevented.

Here’s your action plan at the first sign of fraudulent activity:

1. Verify Through Official RCBC Channels First

Before reacting emotionally, pause and verify. Panic can lead to mistakes, especially if the suspicious activity came with an urgent message or phone call. Fraudsters often create pressure so you act without thinking.

Open your RCBC mobile app directly or type the official website into your browser. Do not click links in SMS or emails, even if they appear legitimate. If needed, call RCBC using the official contact numbers published on their website or at the back of your card.

If you’re unsure when to report fraud, the answer is simple: report it the moment you suspect something is wrong. Even if it turns out to be harmless, verification protects you. It’s always better to double-check than to ignore a potential threat.

2. Lock Your Card or Account Immediately

Many fraud cases escalate within minutes once scammers confirm access.

Use the RCBC Pulz app to temporarily lock your card if that feature is available. This stops additional charges while you investigate. If you suspect deeper account access, request that your card be blocked and replaced.

Locking your card does not mean you are overreacting. It is a protective step. Once the situation is clarified, you can always unlock or request a new card. Quick action often prevents small suspicious transactions from turning into larger losses.

3. Change Passwords and Strengthen Access

Update your access immediately after you spot any sign that your login credentials were compromised.

Change your online banking password to something new and unique. Avoid reusing old passwords or patterns. If your email is linked to your bank account, change that password as well. Many fraud cases begin with compromised email access.

Enable multi-factor authentication and review your security settings. Securing your login ensures that even if someone attempted access once, they cannot try again using the same credentials.

4. Review Transactions Carefully

After reporting the issue, go through your account history in detail. Do not stop at the most recent transaction. Scroll back several days or even weeks.

Look for:

• New payees you don’t recognize

• Small “test” charges

• Subscription enrollments you didn’t authorize

• Multiple failed login attempts

Fraud often begins with minor activity before escalating. By reviewing your transaction history carefully, you may spot additional irregularities that help RCBC’s fraud team investigate more efficiently.

5. Document Everything for Investigation

Documentation matters when dealing with potential fraudulent activity. Capture screenshots of suspicious SMS messages, emails, app notifications, and transaction details. Save call logs from suspicious numbers.

If someone contacted you pretending to be from RCBC, note what they said, what they asked for, and the time of the call. These details help investigators identify patterns and block similar attempts in the future.

RCBC has dedicated monitoring tools and fraud investigation teams. The more complete your information is, the faster they can act. Reporting promptly activates these systems and increases the likelihood of stopping unauthorized transactions quickly.

Stay Alert, Stay Secure

Digital convenience is here to stay. But so are threats. Spotting suspicious transactions early and responding immediately can significantly reduce potential losses.

RCBC empowers you to take control instantly through the RCBC Pulz app, allowing you to trigger an immediate "kill switch" by locking your cards or de-authorizing suspicious activity with a single swipe.

Beyond self-service tools, RCBC provides a multi-layered support network to investigate and resolve disputes:

• 24/7 Fraud Hotline: Reach out immediately at +632 8877-7222 (or +632 8888-1888 for dedicated credit card support) to speak with a specialist who can block accounts and initiate a formal investigation.

• Digital Reporting: Send details and evidence directly to customercare@rcbc.com for documented tracking of your case.\

• In-App Assistance: Utilize Erica, RCBC’s AI assistant, for guided help on common security issues or to be redirected to the right human expert.

Your finances represent years of hard work and careful planning. Protect them with vigilance, discipline, and decisive action with RCBC.