Criminals are using a variety of tactics, find out more about some of the most common scams to watch out for.
Scams to watch out for
What to look for
“We would never ask you to disclose card details, One Time Passcodes or Internet Banking details. Anyone who asks for these is not genuine and these should never be disclosed to anyone! Also be wary of who you are speaking to even if it appears to be from a trusted source – phone number, text message or email. If you have any doubt please hang up and contact us on a separate phone line or wait 15 minutes to ensure the line is clear.”
While our Customer Care and Financial Crime teams are constantly working in the background to minimise threats, there are some simple steps that everyone can take in order to avoid falling victim to scams and fraudsters.
- Cards: Keep your cards safe and never leave them unattended
- ATMs: Look out for anyone who may be acting suspiciously and for signs of tampering on the cash machine. Cover the keypad to avoid anyone seeing your PIN. If the cash machine doesn’t return your card, tell us immediately.
- Passwords & Codes: Never tell anyone (including Cumberland staff) your pin, password, access code or passcode and never write any of them down in a way which could be easily understood by someone else. Don’t use codes such as birthdays that could be easy to guess.
- Only use official links: Log on from cumberland.co.uk (or cumberland.co.uk/business for businesses). Spoof websites can be set up by fraudsters to imitate ours or other real websites – an unusual or incorrect web address can be a giveaway. If unsure, never click on a link that you’ve been sent, it’s safer to open up a web browser and type in the correct address yourself.
- Scams: Be wary of unprompted phone calls, emails or text messages asking you for personal information such as your PIN, password, access code or passcode. We’ll never call, text or email you asking for account information. Also never enter your PIN into a telephone keypad.
- Always be aware: Never log on to your internet banking if asked by a cold caller (eg someone offering to fix, upgrade or protect your computer).
- Watch your account: Regularly check your account for unfamiliar transactions. Let us know immediately if you notice anything unusual.
If you suspect you’ve been a victim of fraud then please call us on 01228 403141 (Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm and Saturday 8.30am to 4pm) or visit your local branch as soon as possible to discuss how we can help. You can also report your case to Action Fraud.
- Use Our Banking App Safely
1) Enable Virus Protection - Check your mobile devices are protected against malware (malicious software) or viruses.
2) Add a Phone PIN - Set up a PIN, fingerprint or face ID on your mobile device. Don’t store your passcode, password or access code on it. Don’t share it with others.
3) Avoid Public Wifi - Avoid using public wifi. Disable Bluetooth when using our app.
4) Use only Official App Stores - Only ever download our app from the official app stores: iTunes or Google Play.
5) Don't Tamper with Your Device - Don't install the app on a rooted or jailbroken devices, in other words a phone that has had its default operating system restrictions removed.
- Using Internet Banking Safely
1) Use only Official Links - Only log on from our website cumberland.co.uk (or cumberland.co.uk/business for businesses).
2) Enable Software Protection - Install firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware software on your computer. Keep them, your operating system and browser up to date and carry out regular scans.
3) Use only Secure Wi-Fi - If you have your own wifi hub, make sure it’s set up to be secure and password protected.
4) Avoid Public Internet - Don’t use public computers to access Cumberland Internet Banking unless absolutely necessary. Always ensure your access details cannot be viewed by anybody else and you log out when finished.
5) Always Be Aware - Never log on to your Internet Banking if asked by a cold caller (for example, someone offering to fix, upgrade or protect your computer). Do not disclose any of your personal access information.
- Keeping Passwords and Codes Secure
Including your PINs, passwords, access code and passcode.
1) Don't write them down - Never write down or record your personal codes and numbers in a way that could easily be understood by someone else.
2) Tough To Guess - Never choose personal codes and numbers that could be easy for others to guess (such as your date of birth).
3) Keep Secret - Never tell anyone your personal codes and numbers. This includes family, friends, Cumberland staff and the police. You are the only one that should ever know them.
4) Keep Them Covered - To prevent anyone else seeing them, always cover your personal codes and numbers when entering them.
5) Card PIN and Phone - Never enter your PIN into a telephone keypad.
- Statements
1) Regular Checking - Regularly check your statements for unfamiliar transactions.
2) Keep Us Informed - If you notice anything unusual on your statements, let us know immediately.
3) Missing Post - If you’re expecting a statement in the post and it doesn’t arrive, please tell us.
4) eStatements - If you use Internet Banking, you can access eStatements online or via our Mobile Banking app.
5) Mobile Banking App - Use the Cumberland Mobile Banking app to keep up to date with your latest eStatements and transactions.
- Debit cards
1) Keep Them Close - Don’t let your card out of your sight when making a transaction.
2) Only You - Never allow someone else to use your card, not even your partner, family or friends.
3) Don't Be Distracted - Don’t let anyone distract you when using your card and always put it away quickly afterwards.
4) At Home - If you live in a property where other people have access to your mail, you can ask us to make your card unusable until you call us to say you have received it.
5) Lost or Stolen - If your card is lost or stolen, report this to us immediately by calling the number on the back of your card. If you call out of hours it is important that you leave a message on the answer machine. By doing so your liability for any fraudulent transactions ends at that point.
- At the ATM
1) Behind You - Be aware of others around you. If someone close by the machine is behaving suspiciously or makes you feel uncomfortable, use another one.
2) Keep Your Eyes Peeled - If there's anything unusual about the cash machine or there are signs of tampering, don't use it and tell the building society, bank, police or building owner immediately.
3) Avoid Darkness - Avoid using cash machines in poorly lit or isolated areas.
4) Cover Up - Cover the keypad to avoid anyone seeing you enter your PIN.
5) Swallowed Card - If the cash machine doesn't return your card, tell us immediately.
- Cheques
1) Clear Payee Details - Add additional details next to the person or company you're paying when possible, for example, XYZ bank, J Jones, account number XXX.
2) Close Spaces - Draw a line through unused spaces and include the word 'only' after writing the amount in words.
3) Making Changes - If you make a mistake, cross it out and sign your name next to the correction.
4) Blank Cheques - Never sign blank cheques!
5) Full Completion - When writing cheques, be sure to complete all sections, including the payee name, and the amount in both words and figures.
01228 403141
Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm and Saturday 8.30am to 4pm
If you believe you have been a victim of fraud please get in touch.
Stop! Think Fraud
The National Campaign Against Fraud provides a range of hints and tips on staying vigilant and always taking a moment to stop, think and check whenever your approached.
Useful Links
The following websites contain important information on protecting yourself against fraud and identity theft, including banking online.