Get Safe Online has warned people to be aware of banking scammers who are
finding more advanced ways to access online bank details in sophisticated
phishing scams.
It advised on Wednesday (6th December)
that individuals should stay extra vigilant, especially if they are asked to
reveal sensitive banking information.
Chris Smith, writer and blogger for Get Safe
Online, said: “If you find yourself on a site or getting emails asking you for
sort code and bank account number, then alarm bells should start ringing”.
The organization also warned that consumers should
use money comparison websites with caution.
While these websites will require personal details
such as your name and date of birth, you should never have to give out your
bank details, it stated.
Smith revealed that cybercriminals are increasingly
creating replica versions of banking websites in a bid to access people’s bank
details and withdraw finances.
These fraudulent websites are often on a website
with a misspelled url. “Barclays.com might be barcalys.com, for example”, Smith
stated.
In order to avoid logging into a fake homepage,
Smith advised bookmarking commonly used banking websites.
Looking out for a green padlock in the browser bar is also a way to ensure that
you are on a genuine, safe bank website, he continued:
“When you’re using comparison sites, or on your
bank’s website, look out for the green padlock in your browser’s address bar to
ensure the domain you’re on is secure.”
Inadvertently disclosing personal information on social media is also an easy way for cybercriminals to store
memorable details to verify bank accounts, such as the name of your first pet.
Password strength testing websites should also be
treated with caution.
“Though some of these sites are legitimate, some
can track your IP address then use the password you ‘tested’ to hack into the
accounts you use this password for,” said Smith.