Major retail banks in Singapore to progressively phase out the use of One-Time Passwords (OTPs) for bank account login by digital token users within the next three months

This will better protect them against phishing scams, which were among the top five scam types last year, with at least SGD 14.2 million lost to these scams

Major retail banks in Singapore will progressively phase out the use of One-Time Passwords (OTPs) for bank account login by customers who are digital token users within the next three months, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and The Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) announced on Tuesday.

This move is aimed at better protecting customers against phishing scams, which were among the top five scam types last year, with at least SGD 14.2 million lost to these scams, as per the Singapore Police Force Annual Scams and Cybercrime Brief 2023.

Customers who have activated their digital token on their mobile device will now have to use their digital tokens for bank account logins via the browser or the mobile banking app. The digital token will authenticate customers’ login without the need for an OTP that scammers can steal, or trick customers into disclosing. MAS and ABS have urged customers who have not activated their digital tokens to do so, to lower the risk of having their credentials phished.

The use of OTP was introduced in the 2000s as a multi-factor authentication option to strengthen online security. However, technological developments and more sophisticated social engineering tactics have since enabled scammers to more easily phish for customers’ OTP, for example through setting up fake bank websites that closely resemble the genuine websites. This latest measure will strengthen the authentication process, making it harder for scammers to fraudulently access a customer’s account and funds without the customer’s explicit authorisation using his mobile device.

Phishing scams remain a concern in Singapore, and banks continue to work closely with MAS and the Singapore Police Force to develop and introduce solutions and measures to strengthen our collective resistance in the ever-evolving scam landscape.

Ong-Ang Ai Boon, Director, ABS, said: “This measure provides customers with further protection against unauthorised access to their bank accounts. While they may give rise to some inconvenience, such measures are necessary to help prevent scams and protect customers.”

Loo Siew Yee, Assistant Managing Director (Policy, Payments & Financial Crime), MAS, said: “MAS continues to work closely with banks to protect consumers by leaning hard against digital banking scams. This latest measure will complement good cyber hygiene practices that customers must continue to practise, such as safeguarding their banking credentials.”

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