What can I do to keep safe?
Be careful about fake banking sites - also known as phishing. Phishing is when someone makes a fake site and tries to pass it off as a genuine company in order to steal your personal details and defraud you. Make sure you know what your bank website looks like so that you can tell if you are being conned.
Fake sites aren't common but you need to know the risks. You can normally spot fake sites if you look closely (spelling mistakes, slightly different link address or tone of voice). If you have any suspicions don't enter your username and password and check the address or ring your bank.
Check for signs of secure transaction. When conducting transactions of any kind, such as transferring money to other accounts or paying bills, always double check for the signs of a secure transaction - the yellow padlock and a URL beginning https://
Take general internet safety advice such as our top tips. If a hacker or a virus gets into your computer they can steal your usernames and passwords and access your bank details that way.
Don't do your internet banking on a public computer. Don't access your bank from Internet cafes that you aren't sure about. If you are sharing a computer or using a computer at work or somewhere public, always log out of your bank account when you have finished accessing it.
Keep your usernames and passwords hidden. Some people stick them up next to their computer screens, don't share them with anyone.
Don't respond to emails which request your username and password. Banks will never do this. Chances are it's a fraudster.
