KUALA LUMPUR: Public vigilance against scams is on the rise, with 9 in 10 Malaysians actively reading scam-related alerts and overall satisfaction with financial institutions’ anti-scam efforts climbing to 73 per cent, according to a new survey commissioned by the banking sector.
The study—jointly released by the Association of Banks in Malaysia (ABM) and the Association of Islamic Banking and Financial Institutions Malaysia (AIBIM)—highlights growing awareness and behavioural readiness among Malaysians, spurred by the ongoing #JanganKenaScam national campaign.
The survey, conducted by Rakuten Insight between March and April 2025, polled 1,000 respondents nationwide.
Findings reveal that 92 per cent of users are aware of the risks posed by unsolicited Android Package Kit (APK) files, 85 per cent can spot fake SMS messages, and 79 per cent actively avoid suspicious links.
In the event of compromise, 82 per cent say they would contact their bank, while 77 per cent would freeze their cards using mobile or online banking apps.
ABM chairman Datuk Khairussaleh Ramli noted the campaign’s impact in shifting public awareness but stressed that education alone is not enough.
“Scammers exploit fear and urgency. From the survey, we saw that 71 per cent of victims acted out of fear of losing money when following scammers’ instructions. Awareness must now translate into instinctive action,” he said.
Confidence in the banking sector’s anti-scam measures is also improving. The survey showed that 76 per cent of respondents were satisfied with their banks’ protective efforts—up 13 percentage points from the previous survey.
Additionally, 60 per cent of respondents said their banks provided helpful support after a scam incident, suggesting stronger post-event response frameworks.
Social media continues to play a pivotal role in spreading scam awareness, with Facebook and Instagram as key platforms.
WhatsApp also emerged as the dominant medium for sharing warnings among Malaysians, reflecting a growing culture of peer-to-peer vigilance.
AIBIM president Datuk Mohd Muazzam Mohamed welcomed the findings but warned against complacency.
“Scammers are constantly refining their tactics. Our awareness efforts must evolve just as rapidly. We aim to equip Malaysians not just with knowledge, but with the instincts and tools to act decisively in moments of uncertainty,” he said. – BERNAMA
