Bank online safely

Avoid the risk of identity theft and protect your bank details

Banking online is very convenient but you have to protect your password and personal details so criminals can’t access your account in your name.

Risks

* Phishing, which means being tricked into disclosing your password and details to online criminals.
* Identity theft caused by viruses or spyware, giving criminals access to your bank account and other personal information stored on your computer.

Don’t be fooled by impostors

One of the biggest risks in banking online is identity theft. Fraudsters send out emails that look like they come from banks (or other trusted organisations) and which contain links to fake websites which also resemble the real thing. Phishing scams are like a fake cashpoint machine that looks like the real thing.

* Be wary of phishing emails. These may appear to be from your bank but are really from criminals trying to lure you to a fake website to get your personal information (see Avoid fake websites).
* Banks will never send you emails asking you to disclose PIN numbers, passwords or other personal information or which link to a page that asks you for this kind of information. If you click on a link in an email that takes you to a page that requires a password or personal information, it is very likely to be a scam.
* Always make sure you are using a secure internet connection to connect to your bank. Look for ‘https’ at the beginning of the address and the padlock symbol (See Learn about secure web pages).
* Although many trusted organisations do send emails containing legitimate links (for example to websites that contain more information on a given subject), always be careful when clicking on them. It is better to enter your bank's address into your web browser directly or use a bookmark that you created using the correct address.
* If you believe your details may have been compromised in some way, always contact the bank (See Undo identity theft).

Make sure your computer is secure

Because criminals can get your passwords and personal information using viruses or spyware, it is vital that your computer is as secure as possible. Follow the advice on this site, in particular:

* Install anti-virus software.
* Stop spyware.
* Use a firewall.
* Get the latest Windows updates.

Use common sense

* Learn your password and PIN. Destroy any written record as soon as you can.
* Don’t write down your password or PIN.
* Use different passwords for bank and credit card sites. Don't use the same password for every website.
* Use strong passwords.
* Be careful when using public computers to access your bank (see Use public computers carefully).
* Never give your personal security details, such as account number or PIN number, to someone you don't trust.
* Don’t fall for money-laundering scams. Be wary of any ‘business opportunity’ that involves receiving or holding money for strangers.
* A good source for further information, including information about known frauds, is your own bank's website.

Keep tabs on your money

* If you spot any unusual transactions in your statement, report them immediately.