Top anti-fraud tips

Fraud crime is growing and everybody needs to be aware of it. We hope you find the following tips useful and informative.

Don't just take our word for it though, our fraud prevention links and resources give you access to information provided by external organisations.

Keep your details safe. Keep your cards, passwords, PINs, documents and personal information secure.

This will help protect you from identity theft, online fraud, card fraud and more. To learn more about how you can keep these details safe, see our guide to identity fraud.

Be suspicious of any unsolicited communications that ask for your personal details.

Although unsolicited phone calls, letters, emails or texts can look or sound legitimate, chances are they're fraudulent. Don't respond to these kinds of communications until you've contacted the company concerned to check that they're genuine.

Be careful

Never download software, open attachments or follow links that you've been sent by email unless you're sure they're safe.

If in doubt, delete the email immediately. These tricks are commonly used by fraudsters to install Trojans or spyware.

Check your bank and credit card statements carefully

Contact us straight away if you spot any transactions you don't recognise.

Let us know if you're going somewhere unusual. This helps avoid problems with using your cards and accounts overseas, as well as helping to protect you from fraud whilst you're away. You can contact us to tell us.

Fraud prevention links and resources

All of the external sites you can reach through this website are here to help you. However, we must tell you that we accept no responsibility or liability for the content, accuracy or availability of any external site you may encounter.

• Get safe online
  This site has been developed by the Government, police and industry. It offers advice on staying safe online and protecting your computer and the personal information it contains. 
• Action Fraud 
  The UK’s national fraud reporting centre where you should report fraud if you have been scammed or defrauded.
• Identity theft 
  Developed by the Government, Metropolitan Police and various industry bodies, this site offers detailed advice about identity theft and how you can protect yourself from it. 
• Visa website 
  This service, in association with Visa, protects your card against unauthorised use when you shop online at participating retailers. 
• Mailing Preference Service 
  By registering with this service, you can reduce the amount of unwanted mail you receive, which can help reduce the risk of identity theft. You can also register the details of relatives who've passed away. 
• Metropolitan Police Service 
  This site contains more detailed information about specific frauds, such as identity theft and advance fee fraud, as well as alerts about the latest scams in London. 
• UK Payments Administration
  The UK payments association and its website contains information about the major types of payment fraud. 
• Card Watch 
  Contains useful information about card fraud for consumers and businesses. 
• Be Card Smart Online 
  Packed with tips for protecting yourself against online card fraud, this site is specifically designed for online shoppers. 
• CIFAS Protective Registration 
  UK fraud prevention service CIFAS offers Protective Registration to people who have fallen victim to, or are at risk of, identity theft. This service flags your personal file, so that when CIFAS member companies like ours receive an application in your name, they'll conduct extra checks to ensure that the application is genuine.

Check these sites regularly to make sure that your browsers, operating systems and applications are up to date and install any patches that may be required.