Urgently support customers to deploy biometric data updates

In accordance with Circular 17/2024/TT-NHNN on opening and using payment accounts and Circular 18/2024/TT-NHNN on bank card operations of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), the SBV Thanh Hoa branch is currently directing commercial banks in the area to urgently support customers in updating biometric data to avoid disruptions to banking transactions while ensuring the safety and protection of people's assets and rights.

Bac A Bank Thanh Hoa branch is implementing customer support at the counter; based on the number of customers coming to transact, bank staff will directly guide them through the installation process.

Accordingly, from January 1, 2025, online transactions (money transfers, bill payments, top-ups, etc.) and withdrawals will be temporarily suspended for account holders or bank cardholders if: they have not updated their biometric information; or they have not updated their information to replace expired identification documents (citizen ID cards, passports, visas). Before the deadline for completing biometric verification, banks are aggressively implementing various measures to urge customers to complete the requirements to avoid transaction disruptions. Currently, most banks have assigned staff, even outside of business hours, on weekends and holidays, to guide customers through the biometric verification process and assist them in updating their biometric information.

Upon learning this information, Ms. Trinh Thu Huong, residing in Dong Ve Ward, Thanh Hoa City, went to Bac A Bank - Thanh Hoa Branch on Le Loi Avenue, Dong Huong Ward, to receive assistance with installing biometric authentication. In a short time, Ms. Huong received enthusiastic guidance from bank staff and successfully installed the authentication system, ensuring safe and smooth transactions.

Agribank branches in the province announce that they are providing services to residents and customers to update their biometric data.

Ms. Le Thi Dung, Deputy Director of Bac A Bank - Thanh Hoa Branch (Bac A Bank Thanh Hoa), said: "Biometric authentication allows regulatory agencies and service providers to accurately identify account holders, transaction operators, and beneficiaries. This not only protects customer accounts but also helps banks minimize risks and fraud. With about half a month left until all customers transacting at the bank must complete their biometric data, Bac A Bank Thanh Hoa has implemented many solutions to support customers in updating their biometrics through online channels and the banking application."

Before and after January 1, 2025, Bac A Bank Thanh Hoa implemented customer support at the counter. Based on the number of customers transacting in person, bank staff directly guided them through the installation process. The bank also proactively connected with and directly supported various customer groups to promptly update their information and biometric data. Customers only need to bring their citizen ID card to the counter to receive guidance from bank staff. In addition, Bac A Bank has invested in more equipment and upgraded software for faster operations. Furthermore, the bank has shortened and streamlined procedures to support customers in conducting transactions smoothly.”

Many customers in Thanh Hoa won prizes in the "Lucky Spin: Open a Plus Account - Enjoy Thousands of Privileges" program.

At the branches and transaction offices of the Vietnam Agricultural and Rural Development Bank (Agribank) in the province, support is being actively provided to customers in various ways: guiding customers to use Agribank's electronic banking applications (Agribank Plus, Agribank Retail eBanking) and directly at Agribank transaction points to provide information and verify the accuracy of personal documents and biometric information. Banks are also deploying additional on-site staff to support customers outside of business hours. In particular, branches are deploying many operational teams to go directly to units and areas with a large number of customers, such as businesses with a large number of workers, universities, colleges, and remote areas, to assist in updating and supplementing biometric information for customers. In addition, Agribank is implementing a special incentive program for customers who complete their biometric information. From now until January 13, 2025, customers who successfully set up their biometric account will receive 10 free spins in the "Lucky Spin: Open a Plus Account - Enjoy Countless Privileges" program. Simply open a Plus account and complete the biometric setup for a chance to win attractive prizes.

Previously, Decision No. 2345/QD-NHNN dated December 18, 2023, of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) stipulated that, from July 1, 2024, online transactions of individual customers must be authenticated using biometric identification, including: money transfers exceeding VND 10 million per transaction or transactions of VND 10 million or less but with a total daily transaction value exceeding VND 20 million; international money transfers; payment of bills for goods and services with a total daily transaction value exceeding VND 100 million; initial activation of digital banking services; or changing devices used for digital banking applications. This is a decisive measure by the SBV to strengthen the security of online payments, thereby creating a healthy online environment and promoting the sustainable development of cashless payments in society.

Customers conducting transactions at HD Bank Thanh Hoa branch.

According to Tong Van Anh, Director of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) Thanh Hoa branch: "The SBV Thanh Hoa branch has issued numerous documents directing commercial banks in the area to conduct awareness campaigns through various means, encouraging customers to update their biometric data early to minimize the possibility of fraud, scams, and risks during transactions. As of mid-December 2024, the banking sector in Thanh Hoa has verified biometric data with the population through chip-embedded citizen ID cards and VneID accounts for millions of customers. At this time, the SBV Thanh Hoa branch is focusing on directing commercial banks in the province to aggressively implement awareness campaigns and accelerate efforts to support individual and corporate customers in verifying their biometric data, even outside of business hours and on holidays and weekends."

A bank branch employee in Thanh Hoa City assists a customer in performing biometric authentication for their bank account.

Currently, the majority of customers who have not updated their bank accounts with biometric data are elderly, technologically inexperienced, live in remote areas, or are factory workers. The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) advises the public that, taking advantage of the implementation of biometric authentication, many fraudsters are impersonating bank employees to contact customers, offering "assistance" in setting up biometrics to carry out fraudulent activities and steal customers' assets and information. Therefore, to ensure safety, people using electronic banking services need to comply with the regulations and instructions of the bank; for online transaction access passwords, they should set strong, hard-to-guess passwords with special characters and avoid using password saving features for automatic login.

Furthermore, people should absolutely not provide their online banking login name, password, or OTP code (via phone or email) to anyone. If their login name/password is compromised or suspected to be compromised, customers should notify the bank for timely assistance. In addition, customers should not take pictures of their credit cards and send them via Gmail or post them on social media; if a card is lost, it should be blocked on the online banking application or reported to the bank to avoid the risk of losing money from the account.

Minh Ha

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/gap-rut-ho-tro-khach-hang-trien-khai-cap-nhat-du-lieu-sinh-trac-hoc-233439.htm