Top 10 Ways to Protect Yourself from Fraud

1. Trust your gut

If something feels off, it probably is. Scammers often try to pressure you into making quick decisions or trick you with deals that seem too good to be true. If you’re unsure, take a step back. Don’t be embarrassed to stop the conversation. Give yourself some time to think and do some research. Maybe, ask a friend for a second opinion. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

2. Talk to us

Scammers are very good at targeting people who are vulnerable. Everyone is financially vulnerable at some stage in their life. It could be that you’ve lost your job or had your first baby. If you let us know what’s going on we can work together to prevent fraud.

Go to 'Your support' for more details

3. Be wary of being contacted unexpectedly

A random phone call, text, email, or even someone knocking on your door. Were you expecting it? Scammers often pretend to be from genuine businesses, like your bank or the government, to gain your trust. Always double-check by contacting them directly using contact details you find yourself, not the ones given by the potential scammer.

4. Keep your personal info to yourself

Your personal details are worth a lot to scammers. Your name, date of birth, address, phone number, email, and even your mum's maiden name are all valuable. They might search online or sift through your social media to find this info. If they get enough info, they could use it to break into your accounts. It also makes it easier for them to sound legit if they call you pretending to be from a place you trust, like your bank. So, never give your bank details, passwords, or PINs to anyone who contacts you unexpectedly. Be careful about how much you share online.

5. Use strong, unique passwords

Yes, it’s a pain to remember all those passwords, but it’s worth it. Use a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols, and avoid using the same password across multiple sites. Consider using a password manager to help keep track and don’t write them down.

6. Stay updated

Keep your address, email and phone number up to date so we can contact you quickly if we see anything dodgy on your account.

Make sure your phone, tablet and laptops have the latest security updates installed. Scammers are always looking for new ways to take advantage of vulnerabilities in software, so keeping your systems updated is a simple way to protect yourself.

7. Don’t click on dodgy links

Links in social media posts, in dodgy emails or texts. Just don’t click on them. They usually have a link or attachment designed to steal your info or infect your device with malware.

8. Use two-factor authentication

Whenever possible, enable two-factor authentication. This adds an extra layer of security by needing two forms of identification to log in. This is usually something you know like a password and something you have like your phone.

9. Check your accounts

Set up transaction alerts and notifications. These help you keep an eye on your account. Have a look at your credit score regularly to understand if any accounts have been opened in your name. The sooner you spot something suspicious, the quicker you can act.