Maleny NHW

Don't get bitten by Internet Fraud

Every now and again we hear in the media about internet fraud bringing pain to people who cannot afford to lose their meagre savings.

In spite of the many warnings that we get people still continue to get caught. Of recent days there has been another round of emails circulating around the Sunshine Coast purporting to be from the Commonwealth Savings Bank asking people to supply details of their bank accounts through email contacts.

There are a few simple rules that, if followed every time lessens the chances of any attacks on your bank accounts. If followed internet banking is as safe as any other way of banking and is very convenient.

Phishing of email addresses has become a very lucrative way of obtaining personal banking details. It is extremely important to remember that Australian Banks NEVER ask its customers to verify their account details by email. Don't be fooled that an email may appear to come from an official looking web site or professional looking email message.

Don't be fooled into believing that money from a previously unexpected source is going to be paid into your account so don't supply the email sender with your account details by email.

Whenever you are going to use internet banking always type the web site into the address bar of the internet browser yourself, do not follow links received in an email. These links can be re-directed to an unofficial site thus your details are also re-directed.

Banks provide passwords for you to use with your accounts. It is always a good idea to change these passwords on a regular basis, and generally it is very easy to do. Usually on the same page that you are doing your internet banking there is the option to change your password. By regular changing of your password difficulty is created in accessing your account. When selecting a new password do not pick on obvious ones such as birthdays etc. Pick one that may be easy for you but not easily connected to you by other people.

By keeping your anti virus and spy-ware software up to date you can limit access indirectly to your computer. Whilst it may cost a few dollars to purchase good anti-virus and spy-ware software it can also save you a lot of heartbreak. Once this software is installed it is important to keep it updated as new viruses and spy-ware are being distributed all of the time.

Should you receive a suspicious email, don't open it and don't open any attachments attached to it. Attachments can contain viruses and spy-ware and when open can take control of your computer.

Personal computers keep track of all keystrokes that are used on them so be very careful when using public computers, such as at libraries and internet cafes. It is always best to restrict any internet banking transactions on these computers.

If is imperative that you do use a public computer to conduct internet banking transactions then don't leave the banking site logged in when you leave the computer and don't leave the computer unattended when you are logged in, even if you intend to return to continue on that site.

If you suspect any communications that you believe that you are having with your bank then check with your bank yourself. Don't just ring a number that is given to you by the caller. Obtain the name and location of the person and look up the phone number yourself. By this method you can be certain that you are speaking to the person to whom you believe that you are speaking.

Remember, if something sounds too good to be true it certainly won't be true. There is no fairy godmother out there so don't be fooled.