Fraud Prevention

Fraud Prevention

Online and Mobile Banking  

• The internet has made “banking” much more accessible and convenient. With online or mobile payments being used every day, there are precautions you need to take to ensure that you enjoy the safest banking experience possible. 

What you can do: 

• Never reveal your online login information to anyone
• Ensure you are not being overlooked. When entering passwords or PINs into online accounts in a public place, shield your screen and ensure no one is overlooking you or trying to distract you. 
• Monitor your accounts on a regular basis. Check for suspicious transactions. If you do find anything suspicious, Report it. 
• Monitor your list of online payees on a regular basis. Treat any unexpected requests to change or update your payee details with caution and verify that the request has come from a legitimate source. 
• Always logout completely from your online session. Select the log out button rather than just closing the website or app. 
• Use secure websites (https). When entering login details or personal information, be sure the web page you are viewing offers encryption of your data by checking: 
• The web address (URL) has changed from ‘http’ to ‘https’. 
• That a closed padlock icon is present. 
• Your browser address window may be green.  

Report Fraud  

Lost or stolen Engage card? 

• As soon as you believe your Engage card has been lost or stolen, simply login to your accountand select ‘my cards’ and follow the steps on-screen. Tel : +44 (0)1756 693 275 (calls are charged at the BT national rate). Lines are open 7 days a week 24 hours a day

Fraud, suspicious activity or unauthorised transactions? 

• To report online fraud, suspicious activity, unauthorised transactions on your account, please contact us as soon as possible via our numbers listed below. 

Shared your online login details? 

• If you have shared your account details in response to a suspicious email, text or call, please notify us as soon as possible via the Freephone numbers listed below. 
• Report a suspicious email or text 
• To report suspicious emails or texts send the suspicious email to  info@Londoncb.co.uk and or via our secure members area members area 

Contact Numbers 

You can contact us on: 

Calling from UK 01895 250958

Calling from Overseas +44 0895 250958

Via the secure members area  members area

Please note: If we need to contact you about a potential fraud on your account, we will do this via a secure channel including, but not limited to, SMS or email.  

Fraudulent emails  

• Email is an excellent communication tool and also a useful way to stay informed about new products and services. However, email is sometimes used to deliver unwanted material. Always be cautious when sending or receiving emails, particularly if you are sending any personal details or arranging financial transactions.  

What to Look for 

• Check for misspellings or unfamiliar sender addresses. 
• Unexpected emails which claim to come from a financial institution. 
• Urgent requests and threats. 
• Claims that your account has been compromised. 
• Requests to “Open an Attachment” or “Click a Link”.  

What you can do to stay safe 

• Be suspicious of unsolicited emails. Listen to your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right then stop and question it. 
• Never reveal your banking details or other personal information if requested via email. 
• Check links in emails are legitimate by ‘hovering’ your mouse over the link to view the web address (URL) without clicking. If it is different to what you were expecting, do not click. 
• Consider having different email addresses for different purposes; one for your bank to use, another for family and friends and perhaps a different address for online newsletters.  

Phone  

• Telephone fraud is becoming increasingly common. Sometimes fraudsters try to trick you into divulging personal and confidential information, including bank account details, over the phone. This is known as ‘Vishing’. The fraudulent text message equivalent to this is known as ‘Smishing’. Fraudsters may claim to be from a reputable organisation or claim that your account has been compromised and that action is required. We will never ask you to transfer money to a new account so ignore such calls or texts. When in doubt about the legitimacy of a call or text claiming to be from Hillingdon Credit Union or London Community Bank report it and do not act on it unless confirmed to be genuine.  

What to look out for and how to stay safe 

• Criminals who have called your landline can stay on the line for up to 5 minutes, even after you have hung up. Wait at least 10 minutes after hanging up. Then, to ensure that the fraudsters have disconnected, call someone you know before using the phone again or use a different line to report the incident to the Bank. 
• Sometimes fraudsters make phone calls, claiming to be from a reputable IT organisation, to offer assistance. Never allow a cold caller to take remote access of your computer. 
• Never respond to suspicious text messages or click on links contained within. These links may lead to malicious content. Send a screenshot of the suspicious text to  info@Londoncb.co.uk and then delete it. 
• Please note, that we, the Police or any other genuine organisation will never ask for your help in investigating crime. If you are contacted with a similar request, please end the call immediately and call us to inform us of the suspicious call.  

Passwords  

• The use of strong passwords is essential in order to protect your information and identity. The best security in the world is useless if a fraudster has access to a legitimate username and password. Strong passwords can take years to crack; weak passwords can be cracked in less than 5 minutes.  

What makes a strong password? 

• More than 8 characters. Having a long and complex password makes it difficult for hackers to decipher. 
• Varied. Random words made up of a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. 
• Unique. Avoid using the same password across multiple accounts. It would only take one successful attack for all your information to be stolen. 
• Easy for you to remember. But difficult for someone to guess (avoid birthdays, pet names etc.). 
• Replace letters with numbers and symbols. Use a movie title or character you like. For example SP!D3Rm@n – a variation of Spiderman. 
• A line of a song. One that other people would not associate with you- fly1ngw1Th0Utw!nGs! 
• A phrase known to you. “Consider yourself at home” and take the first character from each word- CYAH. Then combine this with numbers and symbols- C.2!Y64a?H@ 

• Create your own unique password using these tips (Don’t use these examples!)  

Tips to stay safe 

• Use finger print detection for mobile devices and use a PIN with more than 4 numbers where possible. 
• Never share your usernames or passwords. 
• Never allow web browsers (e.g. Google Chrome, Internet Explorer) to remember your passwords- you put your information at risk. 
• Protecting your device 
• There are a number of potential threats online and you need to ensure that you properly protect your devices- mobiles, tablets, laptops or PCs. This will help safeguard against your device being infected with malicious software and from potentially serious consequences such as fraud and identity theft. 
• Ensure you have up-to-date anti-virus software in place on your devices. Schedule regular checks on your computer system. 
• Keep the software on your device up-to-date. Install the latest software update as soon as possible. You will normally receive a prompt to update. 
• When downloading apps, go directly to a legitimate source. For example use the official App store or the Play store. Be cautious when downloading apps accessed by clicking on a link. 
• In the event your device is lost or stolen, most smart phones & tablets have a capability to be remotely wiped. This will prevent sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands. 
• Secure access to your device. Use a strong PIN, password, passcode or fingerprint detection to access your device. 
• Ensure to clear all information on your device before selling it. 
• Know how to recognise the signs that your computer may have become infected (including but not limited to the following): 
• Applications that don’t work properly. 
• Date of last login doesn’t match the date you last logged in. 
• System slows down, freezes or crashes. 
• Unusual error messages. 
• Your browser toolbar changes. 
• System performance deteriorates unexpectedly. 
• An increase in the number of files on the system when nothing has been added by you. 
• Printing does not work correctly. 
• Distortion on screen. 
• File size changes for no apparent reason. 
• If you suspect that your device may be infected. Do not log on to any online banking channels until any malicious software has been removed. 

Identity theft 

Identity theft occurs when someone steals your personal information and uses it to impersonate you. They can carry out fraudulent activity such as trying to access your accounts, opening a credit card account in your name or getting payment from a supplier. 

Tips on how to stay safe 

• Be careful when posting personal information online, including on social media. The more information you post online about yourself the easier it may be for a fraudster to steal your identity. 
• Never give your card PIN to anyone. 
• Cancel lost or stolen credit and debit cards immediately. 
• Lock all valuable documents away. Ensure they are in a secure place. 
• Ensure to clear all information on your device before selling it 
• Shred confidential information. Always shred any confidential information such as bank statements or cheque books before you throw them away. 
• Inform all service providers promptly when moving address. Set up a mail forwarding arrangement. 

Public Wi-Fi 

Wireless networks have changed the way we use computers and mobile devices at home in the office and on the move. ‘Public’ wireless networks or hotspots mean that we can get online in places like cafés, hotels and parks. While this is very convenient, there is a security risk associated with it. When you access public Wi-Fi, you can never be sure who has set up the network and, more importantly, you don’t know who is connected to it. Malicious users could intercept anything you are doing online including capturing your passwords and reading private emails. 

Tips on how to stay safe 

• Use 3G or 4/5G instead of public Wi-Fi when entering personal information where possible. 
• If you see anything suspicious while using public Wi-Fi, report your concerns to the manager of the organization providing access to the Wi-Fi service. 

Avoid installing any system or application updates on your mobile phone or computer whilst using public Wi-Fi.