Mobile banking is using banking apps or mobile websites on smartphones and tablets is increasingly popular due to its accessibility. Whilst most mobile banking sites are secure be aware of the potential risks.

• Unauthorised people – including criminals – gaining access to and using your bank accounts by finding or guessing your login details.
• Your confidential details and transactions being intercepted if the Wi-Fi you are using is not secured.
• Loss or theft of your mobile device, which could contain or provide easy access to bank accounts and confidential details.
• Being duped into visiting bogus banking websites, or downloading fake banking apps.
• Being persuaded to reveal confidential details to callers claiming to be from your bank or the police, telling you there is a problem on your account.

8 Safe mobile banking Tips

1. Make sure your smartphone or tablet is always protected with a PIN which is difficult to guess. Do not reveal your PIN to anybody, nor write it or store it where it can be found.
2.  Like online banking from a computer, choose, use and protect passwords and memorable words with great care.
3. Take care not to leave your device unattended, or left or stored in an insecure place. Download a tracking app which allows you to erase your data remotely, or enable this feature if already on your device.
4. Keep the banking and other apps on your device regularly updated.
5. Always log out of your banking app or mobile website when you have finished using it. Closing the app or web page or turning off your device may not be sufficient.
6. Check that your bank’s mobile app has been validated for its security. Look on their website for their own published statement on how they have done this. Alternatively, check other app users’ views by searching online.
7. On the app, find and use the option for a text message to be sent every time a transaction occurs on your account. This will notify you of fraudulent transactions as soon as they happen.
8. Beware of emails, texts or phone calls claiming to be from your bank or the police claiming there is a problem with your account and requesting your login or other confidential details. Your bank or other authentic organisation would never request these details.

If you are the victim of an actual or attempted fraud

• Contact your bank immediately
• Report it to Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud reporting centre by calling 0300 123 20 40 or by visiting actionfraud.police.uk

Don’t Forget
Complete the new 2016 Cyber Crime survey, so we can see the full scope of Cyber Crime in Warwickshire, and across West Mercia and the West Midlands – https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/RegionalCyber16