Email Scams

More dangerous than the dozens of emails offering Viagra, are the relatively few which claim to come from your bank, and which encourage you to respond. As you know, the objective of these very official looking emails is to get you to click on a link they have given you, or to send them your confidential banking details. While most people should be wary of emailing their banking details, it is easier to fall for the trap of clicking on a link which supposedly connects you to your financial organisation. This could be an expensive mistake.

Here are a few steps you can take to safeguard yourself against these sophisticated scams.

Don't panic

While it is easy to get alarmed by an email, supposedly from your bank, telling you to take immediate action in relation to your account, just take it easy. If you are asked to confirm your account details or passwords, you can be pretty sure it’s a scam. Legitimate organisations never ask you for this information via email.

Delete the email, preferably before opening it

If your bank really wants to contact you about something important, it will send you a letter.

Only go to your bank's website by typing in its address or by saving its address in your "Favourites"

Don't click on a link in any email as described above. These links will only lead you to trouble. They certainly won't take you to your bank's real web site. If you bank is aware that it is being used in a scam, it will probably have a warning message on its home page.

If in doubt, contact your bank

If you have any doubts, call in or phone your bank and ask them if they have sent you the email. If you have responded to the email and provided some banking details or clicked on a link, contact your bank quickly and describe the email and what has happened. They will tell you what you should do.

Keep you computer secure

Some emails can con you into opening an email or attachment that installs a 'Trojan' in your computer which allows the criminals to monitor your computer and access your bank accounts.

You should install and regularly update a virus protection program.
Get a "firewall" to protect your computer from unwanted access over the internet. This is particularly important if you have Broadband.
Delete any suspect emails without opening them.
Change your internet banking PINS on a regular basis.