Currently, many types of fraud with bank accounts (both in classic and digital banks) have been identified and explained, numerous recommendations and warnings have been issued to prevent losses from fraudsters. The vast majority of bank clients have accepted the fact that million winnings or an unrealistic amount of inheritance is a complete deception. However, the continuous progress of modern technologies, unfortunately, encourages criminals to intensify their efforts in fraudulent schemes, the goal of which is their own enrichment through the theft of money. Therefore, we would like to remind you of the key safety rules in such tools for managing your non-cash finances as Internet banking (a service for remote access to all your accounts in a financial institution) and payment cards. When you log in to Internet banking, you get to your personal account. Usually, in Internet banking, fund transfer operations are available, and for this you do not even need a computer, but a mobile phone with an installed banking program is enough.
For the safe use of Internet banking, it is important to follow the following rules:
- 1) Minimize the use of Internet banking from a mobile phone using WI-FI in public places;
- 2) Try to use only your own computer equipment with installed anti-virus software to access Internet banking;
- 3) Do not enter the online account through personal computers used by different people (for example, computers in an Internet cafe)
- 4) Do not log into banking from a third-party computer with system administrator rights;
- 5)Have a separate financial mobile phone number (and a separate other SIM card for instant messengers and social networks).
But what to do if the trouble still happened and you understand that an outsider has already received access to Internet banking? A quick, but calm reaction and following the algorithm will correct the situation and most likely save you money. What should be done:
- 1. Call the bank, go through the client verification procedure and ask to block the account. So, the entrance to Internet banking will be blocked.
- 2. Disconnect the “broken” computer from the network.
- 3. Block cards linked to the accounts of this bank.
- 4. If necessary (if the previous financial number has been compromised), change the financial number at the bank.
Frauds with payment cards have been and, unfortunately, remain one of the most common types of fraud. With the transition to cashless payments, the payment card has become a more frequent instrument of payment, boldly pushing cash into the background and automatically becoming such a desirable piece of plastic among criminals. In order not to become a victim of intruders who encroach on your fortune, you need to remember the following:
- The card is a tool to access our funds. So careful physical storage ensures the integrity of the funds..
- Card PINs should be confidential and not predictable (yes, you shouldn’t set your date of birth as a PIN). It is important that the PIN codes for the cards are not stored in the same place as the cards themselves.
- With incoming communication from the bank, you can always stop the conversation and call your bank yourself using public contact numbers (at least the phone number printed on the back of your card).
It is important to remember what questions a bank employee will never ask a client. Do not disclose to anyone under any circumstances:
- card PIN;;
- its duration;
- numbers on the back of the card(CVV2/CVC2-code);
- passwords received from SMS, 3DS codes, etc..;
- internet banking passwords;
- IMEI and PUK codes for the phone and SIM card of a mobile operator.
We advise you to always activate the SMS-informing function for payment cards. This will allow you to control the movement of funds, and most importantly, it allows you to instantly learn about any movement of funds on the account.
Bankers also recommend setting individual limits on transactions with your payment card (usually they set daily limits for online settlements and cash withdrawals).
When using a bank card in a trade and service network, you must follow the following simple rules for the safety of your funds:
- Whenever possible, pay with contactless payment cards or ApplePay/GooglePay on NFC-enabled smartphones. The card (or ApplePay/GooglePay device) must remain in your hands, it does not need to be handed over to the cashier.
- Card payments are made only when you are present (if, for example, there is a wired terminal in the establishment, you should be invited to go to it).
- In case of an unsuccessful attempt to pay for the purchase, be sure to receive a check to cancel the purchase.
- Upon receipt of a check on successful payment – make sure that the amount, currency and card number are correct.
- If the seller assures you that the payment was unsuccessful, and you still received an SMS about debiting funds from the card, you should not hesitate to call your card-issuing bank and clarify the current status of the payment.
The next important aspect is online payments. And this is obvious, because we are more and more leaning towards online shopping. Unfortunately, there is a big risk that a pleasant shopping experience will be with a shadow of sadness if:
- We are shopping on a new and unverified site;
- Easily follow links to sites obtained from unverified sources;
- We do not update the operating system and anti-virus programs on our computer;
- We provide a computer or laptop for use by anyone who asks for it, and, moreover, we allow unauthorized persons to work in our profile on a computer;
- We do not use the option to lock the computer.
But what sites are considered safe for online shopping? It is important to remember these simple rules:
- website address starts with https://
- sites marked with a closed padlock icon next to the site’s web address
- reliable sites are usually certified according to the standard PCI DSS
- the site is not in the list of fraudulent resources from the Ukrainian Interbank Association of Members of Payment Systems ЕМА and service “STOP FRAUD” Cyber Police.
And what about purchases not in online stores, but on such now popular services of buying / selling between individuals? So, the most popular platforms are OLX, Shafa, Kidstaff, Tangle, etc. Here the criminals also practice several schemes. However, the main criminal scheme boils down to the fact that they usually try to “take away” a recently registered seller under various pretexts outside the platform. First, the seller receives a notification from the buyer about the readiness to purchase the goods, but the buyer, under the guise of various reasons, asks you to switch to communication outside the platform (sms, Viber, Telegram, etc.). And it would seem that there is no risk, you are the seller and you have the goods, but the next step of the attackers is to send instructions on behalf of the platform for the sale of goods and a link is given to a fake site, very similar to the original site of the platform. And it is precisely here that there is supposedly a need to “confirm the sale” and here the seller must enter the key data of his card so that in the end he does not receive funds, but as a result, lose those of his own that he had on the card. Our above tips will help you “not fall for the hook” of scammers.
We sincerely hope that this article was useful for you and reminded you of the importance of using such simple and very important tips. The saying “Money loves silence” can also be interpreted this way: emotions and chaotic actions can damage the security of our well-being. Technology and progress will continue to move forward and this is of course very good. It’s just that we all need to remain attentive, cautious and critical in all matters relating to finances..