MAS, banks emails affected by Microsoft outage; banks offer customers alternative contact channels

Detailed summary

MAS and Singapore banks affected by Microsoft outage offer customers alternative contact channels and warn of scam risks. Read more at straitstimes.com.

ABS said banks affected by the disruption, particularly those providing retail banking services, had also put up notices across various channels to alert customers to the outage.

SINGAPORE – Banks in Singapore whose e-mails and communications have been affected by the global Microsoft outage have reached out to customers with alternative ways to access help, including customer service hotlines and relationship managers.

Meanwhile, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said it was closely monitoring the situation.

The financial regulator has also experienced disruption to its e-mail services, but said its operations remained unaffected.

The Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) said banks affected by the disruption, particularly those providing retail banking services, have put up notices across various channels, including their websites, to alert customers to the outage.

Checks by The Straits Times show that DBS, UOB, OCBC, HSBC and Maybank Singapore are among those affected.

ABS director Ong-Ang Ai Boon said banks were making alternative contact arrangements available to customers while the disruption persisted.

Customers are advised not to click on unknown or unsolicited links or respond to messages relating to the disruption, as these could lead to phishing attempts, scams, credential theft and malware infections.

The advisory comes amid concerns that cybercriminals could take advantage of the disruption to impersonate banks or send fraudulent messages to customers seeking information or help.

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