Look out for Internet BANKING SCAMS – somebody is after your details and money

Ten tips to help you with Scams

1. Phishing - what is it?
Phishing is when criminals send emails (or create websites) designed to steal your personal information. Phishing emails and websites may look convincing - but don't be fooled. Genuine enquiries will never ask for your entire PIN or your password in an email.
2. Fraudsters probably won't use your name
Be wary of emails addressed to 'Dear Valued Customer' or some other unfamiliar term. If we send you an email, we will usually use your name, it is unlikely fraudsters will know this.
3. Phishing emails may have poor spelling or unusual language
Watch out for misspelled words, missing words, strange sentence construction or language which is too casual. If an email doesn't feel right, don't trust it.
4. Watch out for emails asking you to verify your details
Fraudulent emails may claim that you need to log in to confirm your account details or read important information. Don't be fooled – banks will never ask for your full account details, passwords or PINs by email.
5. Don't click on links in emails
Fraudsters can disguise links in emails to make them appear genuine. Don't trust email links - instead, type out full web address into your browser each time you want to visit a banks site.
6. Phishing websites - check the address
Fraudulent websites often use addresses (also known as URLs) that are very close to the legitimate website address. Look out for subtle differences.
7. Look out for 'https'
If you see 'https' at the beginning of a web address in your browser, this means you're on a secure website. Your connection with the website is encrypted, helping to safeguard your personal details.
8. Look out for the padlock or key
Have a look for a padlock or key symbol - double-click this to help confirm the site's security certificate is genuine. If you don't recognise the name on the site's certificate, don't go any further. Also make sure that the site's certificate is up-to-date.
9. Internet Explorer 7 - traffic lights
If you use Internet Explorer 7, the address bar will turn green when you log in to genuine online banking services. This helps you to see that a website is safe, secure and trustworthy.
10. How to stop the phishing fraudsters
Received a fraudulent e-mail, but not yet responded to it? Please forward the suspect e-mail to your bank.
Try not to open phishing e-mails or follow links to phishing sites and never provide any personal details on any website where you have security concerns.
Remember: Banks will never ask you to provide your full PIN or Password.
Worried that your accounts may have been accessed by someone other than you - or think you have responded to a suspicious e-mail? Contact your bank immediately.

Example of the Natwest Scam: (as it appeared on a email sent to us).

Dear Valued Customer,
We are currently performing regular maintenance of our security measures for online banking and customer databases. We apologize for the inconvenience but your account was randomly selected for verification and you will be taken through a short authentication process.

To start now please click here.

Please note! If we do not recieve the appropriate account verification within 24 hours your online access will be suspended until further notice. The purpose of this verification is to ensure your account has not been fraudulently used and you are not a victim of identity theft.

Thank you.
Online Banking Security Team