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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON INTERNET FRAUD

> EMAIL SCAMS and FAKE WEBSITES
> GOLDEN RULES FOR ONLINE BANKING
 

EMAIL SCAMS and FAKE WEBSITES

1.         Santander will never send you an email asking to confirm security questions or update your information.
Santander will NEVER send you an email asking you to enter your Online Banking details. Whenever you log on or enter you security details, it should always be after you have visited the logon page through santander.co.uk  When you want to access Santander ebanking – always type www.santander.co.uk into the address bar of your browser. Never click on links or pictures in emails, and avoid setting santander.co.uk as a favorite in your browser.

2.         When you receive such an email, this is an attempted fraud. This is known as PHISHING (pronounced fishing) as a fraudster is ‘fishing’ for your security details, to try and log into your account to steal money.
Like most UK banks, Santander has recently been targeted by Phishing scams, an example of the type of email is given below. You will also see a link to the most recent examples. If you have received a scam email, DO NOT click on any links or pictures, or open any attachments. Instead, please forward it to phishing@santander.co.uk and help us reduce online fraud.  We cannot guarantee a response to each email, but we will investigate every report.

EXAMPLE PHISHING EMAIL

3.         Fake Websites and Fake Job Offers
Typo-Squatting - Also referred to as Cyber-Squatting. Spoof websites are set up which look like the genuine bank website. The sites are accessed by typing the bank address with various minor typing errors. For example, instead of www.santander.co.uk   the fraudsters will set up sites at www.asamtander.com. To avoid being caught by this type of scam you should always type the URL (the website address) into the address bar and check that it is correct before you enter your ebanking details.

Be very wary of emails offering you a job asking you to act as an intermediary to transfer funds, it could be a Mule recruitment scam attempting to get you to launder money for them. If you receive an offer that sounds too good to be true, it probably is, and it could result in having your accounts closed, affecting your credit rating or even prosecution.
Santander has been made aware of fraudulent offers of employment being made by dishonest people. In these cases applicants are asked to pay a fee in order to be offered a position. Please be aware that Santander never makes a request for money to be paid by job applicants. All available vacancies at Santander are viewable at www.santanderjobs.co.uk If you believe you have received a fraudulent job offer for a position at Santander, please let us know either by phoning 0870 850 9142 or e-mail: attraction@santanderresourcing.co.uk

4.         Contact us about Email Scams or Fake Websites
If you have received any scam emails and think that you may have responded to it or given your details out via a different scam, please contact the e-Banking helpdesk on 0845 600 4388 , open 7am-11pm, Monday to Saturday, and 9am-9pm on Sundays.
To forward us a copy of a scam email, always use phishing@santander.co.uk

GOLDEN RULES FOR ONLINE BANKING

To help you keep your online banking activity more secure, we recommend you follow some sensible rules:

1.         Your own Computer Security
Always install the latest and most up to date security tools,  including Anti-Virus software, Anti-Spyware/Adware software and use a personal firewall. Always use appropriate security tools for your computer, and keep them up to date. Remember if a new virus is written there is less chance that older Security packages will be able to detect it. For more information, consult your Internet Service Provider, or Operating System manufacturers like Microsoft or Apple.

Always ensure your Operating System is secure - for the most up to date ‘patches’ in Windows, use the Microsoft Windows Product Updates site. For Microsoft Office products such as Word and Excel, go to Office Update. Office Update. Apple users will need to go to Apple support. Apple support. Criminals can use vulnerabilities in software to obtain your information, so make sure you have the latest security updates for your particular computer. You can set your computer to update automatically, so get more information on this from your provider.

Always try to avoid using Public Access Terminals such as at Internet Cafés to do your online banking.  You cannot be sure of the level of security on the machine you are using, it may not be secure. Remember, you have no control over what is on someone else's machine, any information you enter on a website may be stored on the machine you use even after you log off.

Always ensure your home network / connection is secure - if you connect using a wireless broadband network, contact your service provider for information on ensuring your network is secure.

Further information about securing your computer is available on the Get Safe Online Get Safe Online and Bank Safe Online and websites.
For information on using your card online, go to Card Fraud Advice
 
Please note that Santander has no control over the websites offered here and is not liable for your use of them

2.         Your Personal Details
Always keep your logon credentials secure, and never write them down.

Always make sure that we have up to date contact details for you. We may need to contact you from time to time when we need to check transactions or other activity with you. If we are unable to contact you in these situations we may take direct action to secure high risk funds which could cause you disruption. We do this to minimise disruption to your account.

Never tell anyone what they are, even if you share a joint account with them. You must never tell an Santander employee. We might ask you to confirm certain digits from your password to identify yourself when you contact us, but we will never ask you to tell us the entire thing.

Never send account details or personal details by email because there's a risk it could be intercepted on the way.

3.         Using the Internet
Always make sure you log off our secure site successfully when you have finished. Close down your Internet browser once you've logged off. Simply disconnecting from the internet itself isn't enough.

Never leave the computer alone while you are logged into the Santander e-Banking service  - for your added protection, if you have been inactive after 10 minutes online with us, we'll automatically log you off

Always access the Santander e-Banking service by typing in the exact bank address (www.santander.co.uk) .

Never enter a banking site via an email or internet page link and disclose your login details. This applies to any computer that you use.

When shopping online only shop with reputable companies, and use Santander Secure.

Whenever you are asked for personal or security details make sure it is a secure site - the address bar will start with https://...and if you're using Internet Explorer there will be a Padlock Symbol in the bottom right of the window. Further information about the website can be obtained by double-clicking on the Padlock - this will display the SSL certificate which shows who owns the certificate and if it is valid. Different browsers employ different means of highlighting Secure Sites.

Our "Peace of Mind" Guarantee

To give you real peace of mind though, in the unlikely event funds are taken from your account without your authorisation, we would pay you back any loss incurred from fraud, up to the value of the amount fraudulently taken. All we ask is that you have not acted fraudulently or without reasonable care to keep your security information safe. This is the essence of our Peace of Mind Guarantee. Santander.co.uk really is as safe as it is quick and easy.
If you have any problems, remember our Technical Support Staff are here to help you. You can talk to them on 0845 600 4388 seven days a week between 7am and 11pm Monday to Saturday, and 9am to 9pm on Sundays.