Three fundamental ways to protect yourself from fraud

It's easy to think it would never happen to you. But unfortunately, fraud is a reality that can happen to anyone, anywhere and anytime. And as a bank, we see it happen all the time.

Fraudsters target people of all backgrounds, ages, and income brackets, making all of us equally vulnerable.

So, even as we work hard to protect you against fraud and scams, your best defense is still you

Here are three fundamental ways to protect yourself from fraud:

1. Keep your personal information confidential

First, remember there are things your bank would never ask for, such as your personal details, password and Personal Identification Number (PIN). Do not share your username, password, PIN or OTP with anyone under any circumstances because this is confidential information and provides access to your account or debit and credit cards. Compromising your password or PIN can lead to misuse or fraud, resulting in a financial loss, for which you would be liable. Be careful not to write your passwords or PIN on the cards or sticky notes, as these can be compromised too. Additionally, make sure not to let anyone see you type your password or PIN. Instead, stand close to the ATM and use your body and hand as a shield so nobody sees you keying in your PIN.

2. Choose your passwords carefully

Choose unique complex passwords for each of your accounts that would be difficult for others to guess. Do not use information that is easy for someone else to guess such as date of birth, family member names, phone numbers, sequences, or repeated characters like 1234, ABCD, and so on. Ideally, a strong password will include a mix of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols. Make sure not to use the same password for every account or profile, and never use the same password for multiple sites or applications particularly ones you use for a social media or email accounts as these are top targets for hackers. Don't forget to change your passwords and PIN regularly and never share your passwords with anyone.

3. Keep an eye on account activity

Monitor your accounts and keep an eye on your balances and account activity to ensure that you spot unauthorized or unusual activity immediately. Make sure to sign up for transaction alerts too so that you get text or email messages about any withdrawals or transactions. Offline, it's equally important to keep track of your cheque books too. Make sure to keep your cheque books under safe custody, under lock and key. Never leave your cheque book unattended and always count the number of cheque leaves in it. If there is a discrepancy, bring it to the notice of the bank immediately.

If you suspect that your personal details have been compromised, make sure to report it to the bank immediately.