Malaysians Growing More Vigilant Against Scams, Survey Finds

Samuel Chua

7th August 2025 - 3 min read

Nine in 10 Malaysians actively read scam-related alerts, with public satisfaction reaching 73% regarding scam awareness efforts, according to a recent survey by the Association of Banks in Malaysia (ABM) and the Association of Islamic Banking and Financial Institutions Malaysia (AIBIM).

The findings reflect a rise in scam awareness and growing public confidence in banks’ protective measures, supported by the national #JanganKenaScam campaign, according to a joint statement by the two associations.

Nationwide Survey Highlights Strong Awareness

Commissioned by the banking sector, the survey was conducted by Rakuten Insight between March and April 2025, gathering responses from 1,000 individuals across Malaysia.

The results show that many Malaysians are aware of common scam tactics and know how to respond. Specifically, 92% recognised the risks of installing unsolicited Android Package Kit (APK) files, while 85% could identify fake SMS messages. 79% avoided suspicious links, 82% said they would contact their bank if they suspected a scam, and 77% indicated they would freeze their cards via mobile or online banking if their account was compromised.

From Awareness to Action

ABM chairman Datuk Khairussaleh Ramli said the campaign has helped improve public understanding, but also emphasised the need to move beyond awareness towards behavioural readiness.

“We are seeing a positive shift in public awareness and trust, but we also recognise that scammers exploit fear and urgency to bypass rational thinking. From the survey, we saw that 71% of respondents feared losing money if scammers’ instructions were not followed. This was the primary factor in many scam cases,” he said.

Confidence in Bank Support Increasing

The survey also noted that 76% of respondents are satisfied with their banks’ efforts to protect against scams, marking a 13% increase from the previous survey.

In addition, three in five Malaysians found their banks helpful after a scam occurred, suggesting that post-incident support is becoming an important part of the overall customer experience.

The survey found that social media remains the leading source of scam awareness, especially on Facebook and Instagram. Furthermore, seven in 10 Malaysians now actively share scam alerts with others, most commonly through WhatsApp, reflecting a strong culture of community-based vigilance.

AIBIM president Datuk Mohd Muazzam Mohamed welcomed the findings but warned against complacency.

“Scammers are constantly evolving their tactics, and our response must adapt in tandem. We want to equip Malaysians not only with information, but also with practical instincts and tools they can rely on in moments of uncertainty,” he said.

Continuing the #JanganKenaScam Campaign

The #JanganKenaScam campaign, supported by ABM and AIBIM, continues to promote safe banking practices through public education, scam alerts, and customer support initiatives. The survey results suggest that while awareness is improving, ongoing efforts remain crucial to strengthen public resilience and ensure that Malaysians are equipped to respond effectively to potential scams.

Interestingly, the RinggitPlus Malaysian Financial Literacy Survey (RMFLS) 2024 revealed that collective efforts to fight scams are showing positive results. The survey found that 38% of Malaysians encountered fewer scam attempts compared to the previous year, and 56% believed that national awareness campaigns helped them avoid becoming victims. However, the danger persists, as 86% of respondents still encountered a potential fraud attempt in 2024. Stay tuned for more findings as RMFLS 2025 is coming soon!

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