NHT Issues Urgent Warning Against Phishing Scams for Contributors
Jan 08, 2024 · Kingston, Jamaica — Contributors of the National Housing Trust (NHT) are urged to be extra cautious due to reports of phishing scams targeting them with fraudulent emails pretending to be sent from the organization. According to a statement published on Monday, the deceptive communication instructs recipients to validate their details by clicking on a link or attachment to obtain their NHT contributions refund.
Dwayne Berbick, Assistant General Manager for Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at the NHT, clarified that email verification is not a technique used by the Trust in the refund process. While speaking at a recent forum, he said, “If there is a challenge with your application, you will get a notification from the NHT asking you to make direct contact with us. The process does not involve responding to an email or clicking on any attachment or link.”
The statement disclosed that numerous instances of fabricated communication have been reported to the NHT since January 1, 2024, when the organization began accepting refund applications for contributions made in 2016. Berbick mentioned that this trend isn’t new, urging contributors to safeguard their personal information to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands and shield against other cybercrimes.
“The NHT’s refund process is safe. The scams and schemes we’re seeing don’t attack that process. They play on refunds being available and individuals collecting them,” he explained. “So, if you have received any kind of communication and are in doubt, reach out to us for verification before you respond,” he advised.
The NHT has launched several measures to communicate with and assist contributors in securely and safely submitting their NHT refund applications. These include a mobile application available for download in the Apple and Google Play stores, the NHT Online portal accessible at online.nht.gov.jm/, and the organization’s website, found at www.nht.gov.jm.