October is Cyber Security Awareness Month, an opportunity to think about how we protect ourselves, our personal information and our money online.
At Derbyshire Community Bank, financial wellbeing isn’t only about saving and borrowing responsibly. Keeping your financial and personal information secure matters too.
From online banking and shopping to emails, text messages and social media, so much of our everyday financial life now happens digitally. Unfortunately, criminals know this too.
A scam doesn’t always look suspicious.
Fraudsters can impersonate organisations you recognise, create convincing websites and send emails or text messages designed to look genuine. New technology, including artificial intelligence, can also make fraudulent messages and impersonation attempts appear increasingly convincing.
That means spelling mistakes alone are no longer a reliable way of identifying a scam.
Before responding to an unexpected message, ask yourself:
Was I expecting this?
Is someone putting me under pressure?
Why are they asking for this information?
Can I verify this another way?
If you’re unsure, don’t use the contact details or links contained in the message. Find the organisation’s official website or app independently and contact them through a channel you trust.
A scammer doesn’t necessarily need your card to cause harm.
Information such as your:
can potentially be used as part of fraud or an attempt to access an account.
Treat unexpected requests for financial or security information with caution, even when the person contacting you appears to know something about you.
A few everyday habits can make a significant difference.
Use a different, strong password for important accounts, particularly your email and financial accounts. Where available, enable two-step verification (2SV) or multi-factor authentication for an additional layer of protection.
Never share a password or security code because somebody has unexpectedly contacted you and asked for it.
Phishing isn’t limited to email anymore.
Suspicious links can arrive through texts, social media, online adverts and messaging apps. QR codes can also direct you to fraudulent websites.
If a message tells you that you must act immediately, make a payment, verify an account or provide information, take a moment before doing anything.
Stop. Check. Contact.
Taking an extra minute to independently verify something could help protect your information and your money.
We would much rather a member check something with us than feel pressured into responding to something they’re unsure about.
If you receive unexpected communication claiming to be from Derbyshire Community Bank, or you’re concerned about activity relating to your account, please contact us through our official channels.
Members can also use the secure messaging service within the Derbyshire Community Bank app to contact our team.
And remember: never provide passwords, security codes or sensitive financial information simply because somebody contacting you asks for them.
Cyber Security Awareness Month is a useful reminder, but staying secure online matters throughout the year.
Whether you’re checking your savings, applying for a loan, shopping online or simply opening an email, small security habits can help protect your personal information and your finances.
Take your time. Question unexpected requests. Keep your information private. And if you’re unsure, check before you act.
For independent advice about staying secure online, visit the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
If you believe you’ve shared banking information with a scammer, contact your financial provider as soon as possible.
