Security and fraud

How we protect your business

• Our Fraud Guarantee works to protect you and your money, however you bank with us
• Our online banking security tokens are a tool that helps us to protect your accounts
• Online banking security protection
• Extra password protection, provided by Verified by Visa

Our Fraud Guarantee

Our Fraud Guarantee works to protect you and your money when you bank with us, whether that's online, over the phone or in branch.

If you happen to fall victim to fraudulent activity, we guarantee to refund your loss as long as you've not acted fraudulently, and you've taken reasonable steps to keep your details safe.

How you can protect your business

Ensure you stay safe online and keep your information secure by following our recommendations.

Install Trusteer Rapport

This security software is free to use. It’ll help protect you against online threats, financial fraud and data theft when using online banking.

For extra protection we recommend you use Trusteer Rapport alongside firewall and anti-virus software. Learn more and download Trusteer Rapport.

Install and run anti-virus software

If you don’t already have it, then we strongly recommend that you install anti-virus software on any devices you use when banking. Running anti-virus software can help prevent infection from the many viruses that are on the internet.

Not setting up or running a regular scan with your anti-virus software means viruses may go undetected and there is an increased risk of financial fraud.

Use a firewall

A firewall on your computer acts like a barrier. It helps to block malicious software from gathering your private information. It can also help stop potential intruders.

You can get a number of different firewalls, some come with your anti-virus software, some are built into your modem or router and most Microsoft Windows computers will have a firewall as standard.

Keep your devices up to date

Online threats often change and new ones will emerge. By regularly updating your computer or mobile device operating systems when prompted, you can help keep your devices safe.

Microsoft, Apple, Google and other developers regularly update their operating systems and software for desktop computers and mobile devices. Not only does this improve performance, it helps protect against any new bugs or security vulnerabilities discovered.

Help to protect your devices by installing software and internet browser updates as soon as they become available.

Received a phone call, text or email asking for your business or financial information? If so, what do you do? Before you act, stop. Take a moment to assess the situation.

The information below should help you work out whether that request is legitimate.

1. Be absolutely certain who you're speaking to

   A genuine bank or organisation will never contact you out of the blue to ask for your PIN, full password or to move money to another account. Only give out your personal or financial details to use a service that you have given your consent to, that you trust and that you are expecting to be contacted by. Before you share anything with anyone, stop. Then pause to consider what you're being asked for and question why they need it. Unless you're 100% sure who you're talking to, don't disclose any personal or financial details.

2. Don't assume an email, text or phone call is authentic

   Even if someone seems to know your basic details, it doesn’t mean they’re genuine. In an attempt to gain your trust, fraudsters may claim you’ve been a victim of fraud. They often do this to get you talking, then try and persuade you into giving them your security details.

3. Don’t be rushed, or pressured, into making a decision

   No genuine bank or trusted organisation will, under any circumstances, force you to make a financial transaction on the spot. Neither would they ask you to transfer money into another account for reasons relating to fraud. If you’re asked to do this, then stop and consider what they are asking you.

4. Listen to your instincts

   Does a situation feel wrong or strange? If so, it’s usually right to question it. Fraudsters will try to manipulate you: they’ll try and lull you into a false sense of security when out and about, or rely on your defences being down when you’re at home. They’ll try to appear trustworthy, but they may not be what they appear.

5. Stay in control

   Be confident. It’s always okay to stop a conversation. You can always refuse unusual requests for personal or financial information.

Take Five is a national campaign that offers straightforward and impartial advice to help everyone protect themselves from preventable financial fraud. This includes email deception and phone-based scams as well as online fraud – particularly where criminals impersonate trusted organisations.

Led by Financial Fraud Action UK (FFA UK), it is being delivered with and through a range of partners in the UK payments industry, financial services firms, law enforcement agencies, telecommunication providers, commercial, public and third sector. Visit: takefive-stopfraud.org.uk for more information about Take Five and which partners are involved.