FirstBank Nigeria has moved to reassure customers after a voice message circulating on WhatsApp falsely claimed that its FirstMobile mobile banking application had been compromised.

The bank described the circulating claim as false and misleading, saying FirstMobile remains secure and fully operational.

In a statement published on September 28, FirstBank said its digital banking platform is supported by robust information-security infrastructure and that it continues to invest in cybersecurity measures across its digital channels.

The bank also assured customers that their funds remain safe and that FirstMobile and its other digital channels continue to operate securely.

FirstBank tells customers to ignore the message

The message reportedly circulated as a voice note on WhatsApp, a format that can make unverified claims appear more credible because they are presented as if they came from an informed or trusted source.

FirstBank urged customers and other stakeholders to disregard the message and avoid forwarding unverified information that could create unnecessary concern.

The bank advised customers to rely on its verified communication channels when seeking information about the status of its services.

The clarification is particularly important because false claims about a banking platform being hacked can trigger panic and potentially lead customers to make unsafe decisions.

A rumour about a bank hack can create a second security problem

A false breach claim can be dangerous even when the underlying security incident does not exist.

Customers who believe their bank has been compromised may respond by clicking links sent alongside the rumour, downloading supposedly protective applications, revealing account information or sharing one-time passwords with people claiming to be bank representatives.

That creates an opportunity for a separate phishing or social-engineering attack.

The safest response to an unexpected banking alert or security claim is therefore to verify it through the bank's official channels rather than through the message that initially raised the alarm.

FirstMobile remains operational, FirstBank says

FirstBank said its investment in technology and cybersecurity is intended to maintain resilience, reliability and security across its digital channels.

The bank's statement specifically confirmed that FirstMobile remains secure and fully operational.

That clarification does not mean customers should ignore genuine security warnings.

Instead, customers should distinguish between information coming directly from the financial institution and claims being circulated through unofficial channels.

What customers should do if they receive the audio

Anyone who receives the WhatsApp recording should avoid forwarding it as fact.

Customers should also avoid clicking links or contacting numbers contained in suspicious messages.

If a customer notices an actual unauthorised transaction or experiences a security issue with a FirstBank account, the appropriate response is to contact FirstBank through its official complaint and customer-service channels.

FirstBank's complaint portal specifically warns customers not to provide their PIN or token ID in complaint forms.

This is an important reminder because legitimate banks do not need customers to disclose sensitive authentication credentials simply to investigate a complaint.

Why WhatsApp banking rumours spread quickly

Nigeria's heavy use of messaging platforms means false financial information can travel rapidly through family groups, community groups and professional networks.

A voice note can be particularly persuasive because recipients may assume the speaker has inside information.

But the format itself does not make the information authentic.

For financial institutions, responding quickly to such rumours is therefore becoming part of digital security.

The objective is not only to protect the bank's reputation but also to prevent customers from being pushed into unsafe actions because they believe their money is at immediate risk.

The FirstMobile episode is a reminder that cybersecurity is no longer only about stopping hackers from entering a system.

It is also about stopping misinformation from creating the conditions for another attack.

A fake claim that a banking app has been compromised can cause customers to panic, and panic is exactly the environment in which phishing and social-engineering scams can become more effective.

FirstBank has now publicly rejected the claim and confirmed that FirstMobile remains operational.

For customers, the lesson is simple:

Don't panic. Don't forward unverified banking alerts. Don't share your PIN, password or OTP. Verify directly with the bank.

In an environment where a WhatsApp voice note can reach thousands of people within minutes, knowing how to verify information is becoming just as important as having strong banking security.