Improve your banking security with a Scam Safety Health Check

As scammers become more creative and frauds harder to detect, HSBC is encouraging its customers to take a moment to run a “Scam Safety Health Check”.

Matthew Hannan HSBC Australia’s Head of Fraud explains, “While technology plays an important role in everyone’s lives, it is also the way scammers can connect with their potential victims. Everyday habits – such as using strong passwords, setting up multi factor authentication, securing your devices and verifying who you are speaking to - remain one of the strongest lines of defence.

“However, we are also asking Australians to take a moment to do a ‘Scam Safety Health Check.’ A few practical things customers can do to ensure they are banking as safely and securely as possible.”

Here are three practical steps customers can take to check their scam safety:

Secure your mobile phone

Your mobile phone contains a wealth of personal information about you, including your banking details. To stay secure, you should:

• Set a secure PIN and use biometrics (such as fingerprint/Face ID) to access your phone.
• Set your phone to lock automatically if you don’t use it for a few minutes.
• Do not save passwords or other sensitive information in your notes or messages.
• Avoid saving your home phone number and address under ‘Home’ in your contacts.

If you lose your phone report it to your mobile phone provider and bank immediately.

Keep your software up to date

It’s a good idea to install software updates as soon as they become available. Make sure your web browser is up to date as the latest versions offer the best protection against viruses and can warn you about fake websites. Viruses take advantage of vulnerabilities, which are often fixed in the free updates that are released.

Also, avoid using public wi-fi or shared computers when banking online. Public computers often don’t have adequate protection installed to prevent malware, key loggers and other malicious software that may record your log on details.

If you’re searching for a wi-fi connection on your own device, beware of scam wi-fi hotspots that can track your activity if you connect to them.

Secure your online presence

What’s your mother’s maiden name? The first school you went to? Your address? Birthday? Phone number?

All of this information is useful to people who want to steal your identity or compromise your online banking. If you use social networking sites, make sure you’re not over-sharing your personal details.

Adjust the privacy settings on each site you use so only people you trust can see what you post.

Hannan added that a simple mindset shift can help customers stay one step ahead. “A good rule of thumb is to stop, check and protect. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and contact your bank directly.”

With scams continuing to evolve, staying alert and regularly checking your scam protection remains one of the most effective ways to stay safe.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Lillian Birchall -lillian.birchall@hsbc.com.au