Staying safe online.

Phishing emails are a common tactic used by fraudsters, used to obtain personal information by posing as a trusted company. Never open any attachments or click on any links in any emails that are suspicious, or respond to them. Watch out for scammers using similarly named email domains to appear as if the communication is from an official source. Whilst not always the case, such emails often contain spelling mistakes or improper formatting which can be an indication that something is not right.

Voice phishing and number spoofing is another method used to convince victims to disclose sensitive data so always confirm the authenticity, even it is from a number you recognise.

When browsing online, check that the website has https:// and the secure padlock icon in the URL bar. Beware of website spoofing, where a legitimate website is cloned and used to collect customer information, often sent via phishing emails or pop up windows.

Only use secure internet connections and not public WIfi, as such networks are more open to hacking. If you use a shared computer, never save login information and clear the cache and cookies after each session.

Never share your password(s) or sensitive account information with anyone, nor should you write down any passwords or access codes. Be wary of any contact asking you to provide account details or personal information such as your ID.

BankPro and other reputable companies would never ask for such details and you should deem any such contact or requests to be suspicious.

Sometimes it is easy for fraudsters simply because of a lack of password complexity or changing. Change your password(s) frequently and use a combination of symbols, numbers, upper and lowercase letters. Don’t use passwords that contain family names, pets or nicknames, as these are easily guessable. Use different passwords for different websites and enable multi-factor authentication wherever possible.