All The Details As Expert Takes Journalists Through How Best To Tackle Fake News At Polaris Bank Media Workshop

On Thursday, May 9, 2019 Tokunbo Abiru led financial institution Polaris Bank held a media workshop for selected journalists.

The workshop which is part of ongoing efforts by the bank at impacting on the journalism profession took place at GRA Ikeja Lagos.

Focused on Online Journalism in the era of fake news and titled “He said it, She said it… What is the fact?” the workshop generally seen as impactful was anchored by brilliant journalist Taiwo Obe.

Mr Taiwo Obe, popularly known as T.O is the founder of Surulere, Lagos state based Journalism Clinic.

 Interestingly the practical approach adopted by Mr Obe at the workshop exposed one of the latest tricks of fraudsters preying on the cashless policy to swindle the public.

A news room exercise undertook at the workshop to determine the truthfulness of a news item showed that the use of Point of Sale (PoS) terminal is now a means use by fraudulent element to defraud unsuspecting public.

While applying the principle of “fact checking” it was confirmed that some of the POS machines are specifically deployed to steal all the data of the user once the debit or credit card is used on it.

And this enables the fraudsters to move money out of the account(s) of the victim(s).

The very engaging session revealed that the fraudsters’ method of operation is to create an environment that would make their targets to use the card on the “dubious POS machine” either when making a delivery or at other seemingly innocent payments and sales points at the myriads of business venues abound.

Ezurike Nduneche, the Head, Strategic Management of Polaris Bank who was actively involved in all the practical aspects of the workshop – including joining a team and undertaking assignments – disclosed that the Bank is constantly working on staying a step ahead of the criminally minded individuals by evolving strategies that protect customers funds and retain confidence.

Some of the solutions thrown up at the workshop to combat one of the latest ticks of the fraudsters preying on the cashless policy include, limiting daily spending on bank accounts and cards, adopting a single payment card attached to a bank account with limited balance, use of money cards at only selected and trusted payment points, always be conscious of happenings at payment venues, and familiarization with the regular mobile card machine.

The approach and tips provided by Journalism Clinic Founder, Tunde Obe are big leaps in impacting on the operations of the participants at the Media Workshop.

Nduneche, who emphasized the need for training for advancement and to combat the threat of fake news on the integrity of the journalism profession in his opening speech worked hand -in – glove with another well-known face of Polaris Bank, Rasheed Bolarinwa to achieve a successful workshop.