Check whether an email, text or call is authentic

Just because someone knows your name, address or your mother’s maiden name, it doesn’t mean they’re genuine. Fraudsters will ‘spoof’ telephone numbers to make them appear from a trusted number.

If you’re unsure, contact the company on the details published on their website—not via any details they give you. That way you can be sure you’re speaking to the genuine organisation and verify if the communication you received was authentic.

Check new payee details before making a transfer

Some fraudsters hack personal and company emails and send invoices with their own payment instructions.

If you receive payment details from a company by email, call the number on their website to check the details you received are correct before making the payment, even if you know them or have paid them before.

Don’t give out your personal and security details

Never disclose details like your internet banking login details, even if you are contacted by someone claiming to be from your bank or the police. And if someone else could have access to your computer or device don’t save your login details to it.

Don’t download unknown software

Fraudsters will call and pretend to be from a service provider (like your phone or internet provider) telling you to click a link or download software urgently onto your computer or risk your service being disconnected.

This may give them access to your computer, so do not act on their requests—end the call and contact your service provider on their published number.

Never feel pressured into transferring money

Fraudsters will contact you and claim you’ve been a victim of fraud to gain your trust and scare you into acting fast and revealing security details. Under no circumstances would a bank, the police, or organisation force you to make a financial transaction or transfer money into another account on the spot.

If you receive a call like this always stop and take time to think about what you are being asked to do, end the call and contact the police or your Bank on their published telephone number.

Do not use the telephone number they have given you and make sure if you are calling back that you use a different phone line. This is because fraudsters can leave the telephone line ‘open’ even if you hang up, and then listen to the call you make to your genuine Bank and obtain your security details.