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Unresponsive Facebook public group 'Equity Bank Uganda' is fake, legitimate Equity Bank page is verified, won't contact you on WhatsApp

IN SHORT: Don’t send queries to “Equity Bank Uganda”, a public Facebook group impersonating Equity Bank Uganda Limited. You could get scammed.

Ugandans have been sending messages to the public Facebook group Equity Bank Uganda, which has more than 1,100 members. They thought their questions would reach Equity Bank Uganda Limited. But they have received no reply.

Equity Bank Uganda Limited is a commercial bank operating in Uganda. It is licensed by the Bank of Uganda, the country’s central bank and national banking regulator.

The public Facebook group makes a clear claim to be representing Equity Bank Uganda Limited.

“The Official Group of Equity Bank Uganda Online Customer Care Support Team WhatsApp numbers +256780409138 or 0312327000 We usually reply in time,” is posted in the Facebook group’s “about” section.

The posts and queries on the page are mostly from customers asking for help with banking issues. But why aren’t these questions being answered?

EquityProfile_False

Signs distinguishing legitimate page from fake account

The official Equity Bank Uganda Facebook page is verified and has 84,000 followers. The Facebook group we’re investigating is unverified.

The genuine page's transparency section shows that it was created on 4 June 2013, while the public group was created on 18 May 2023. 

Also, the phone number listed in the contacts section of the legitimate page is not listed by the unresponsive Equity Bank Uganda public group.

The verified page is responsive to its customers. It answers queries and also responds to comments about its services.

On 21 June, Equity Bank Uganda urged customers not to share banking information with unverified social media profiles claiming to represent them.

“All official Equity Bank social media profiles are verified, so you can be safe online. If a page reaches you without a verified badge, it's fake and you should not share any banking information with them. #BeeraSteady Be Better,” Equity Bank wrote.

On 19 July, Equity Bank also warned customers that it did not have a WhatsApp number and would not ask for private banking information.

Do not share your bank details with ANYONE on social media. Equity Bank does not have a WhatsApp number and will never ask you for your private bank account details,” wrote the bank.

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