Types of Fraud to look out for
Types of Fraud to look out for
There are various types of fraud to look out for, many of which are linked to fraudsters trying to access your money by getting a hold of your personal details. This can happen online (via email, websites, social media, or text message), in person (by calling to your door) or via phone call.
What to do if you are a victim of fraud
If you think you have been the victim of a scam or fraud, please contact your financial services provider (building Society or bank) as soon as you can. You can contact Progressive Building Society on 02890 160950.
Fraudsters contacting you via phone
Fraudsters may contact you by phone, pretending to be from a legitimate company (in some cases, they may be able to impersonate the phone number of a legitimate company), and try to collect personal details from you, or get you to do something for them. This type of fraud is referred to as Vishing.
Examples of Vishing includes someone calling you and asking you to:
- Provide them with remote access to your computer
- Move money to a “safe” bank account
- Provide personal details about yourself
- Log into online banking or asking you to pay for a service
If you are suspicious about a caller, do not follow any instructions they give you, and end the phone call. If you want to call the organisation that the fraudster was posing to be from, look up the organisations phone number on a trusted source and if you can, use a different device (do not use any number that the caller gave you).
Fraudsters contacting you via Email, text, or social media
Fraudsters can contact you via email, text, or social media and try to collect personal information about you. This is also known as Phishing.
Phishing involves sending emails that look like they have come from genuine companies which will include a link or attachment redirecting you to a website where you will be asked to input information such as your name, date of birth, password or online banking details.
Examples of Phishing usually involve an email or text message claiming that there is an urgent problem and will ask you to:
- Transfer money quickly to avoid a penalty or loss
- Call a phone number immediately
- Update your details using a link, or to login and check a recent transaction
Progressive Building Society will never ask you disclose any of your personal information by email, nor will we pressure you into doing something urgently.
If you think you have received a phishing email, do not reply to the email, click any links or attachments, or call any telephone numbers provided. Delete the email immediately.
Fraud relating to your devices (computers, laptops, tablets, mobile phones)
Fraudsters will try to gain access to your personal device either in person, or virtually.
Malware is designed to cause damage to your computer. Types of malware include computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses, ransomware, spyware, adware, rogue software, wiper and scareware. Malware can get onto your computer in many ways and can affect your computer without your knowledge. It can occur through clicking a link in an email or opening an email attachment or can be downloaded onto your computer manually by an attacker (in person or virtually).
Types of malware
- Spyware - This is designed to spy on you. Spyware will hide in the background and will record what you do online with the aim of collecting personal data about you, such as your passwords or credit card details.
- Trojan - A Trojan will disguise itself as legitimate software or will be hidden within legitimate software that has been tampered with. A Trojan will allow other types of malware access to your computer by allowing them through your security.
- Virus - A virus will attach itself to a file and if it is not found and erased it will spread throughout your system and delete or corrupt your files.
How to avoid malware
- Use antivirus software and make sure it is kept up to date. There are many different types of antivirus software available therefore it is important that you select the most appropriate antivirus software for your needs.
- Ensure your device has a firewall turned on
- Check that a website is secure before using the site or entering any personal details. To do this, look in the address bar at the top of your screen, secure websites will have a padlock symbol and the website address will begin with “https://”
- Do not open any attachments or click on links from suspicious emails
- Do not allowing strangers to access your computer either in person or virtually.
Speak to our team today
We’d love to talk you through the mortgage process and help you find a suitable product. For more information or to apply for an account, you can call us, email us, pop into one of our 11 branches. We look forward to hearing from you.