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Latest updates on Internet Fraud

Golden rules for safe online banking

Our 'Peace of Mind' Guarantee

Latest updates on Internet Fraud

'Phishing' / Fraudulent emails

Customers of several UK banks have recently been the target of a fraud that uses "spoof" (also known as phishing or hoaxing) e-mails. Although difficult to recognise they will generally ask customers to click on a link to a spoof website and will encourage customers to provide, update or confirm sensitive personal information or passwords into a counterfeit copy of their website.

Please ensure that you always access the Abbey International website by typing the exact domain name (www.abbeyinternational.com). Never enter a banking site via another link and disclose your log in details.

To keep up to date with latest scams, and for further information visit:

www.banksafeonline.org.uk
www.getsafeonline.org.uk
www.cifas.org.uk

Please remember, Abbey International will never send you an e-mail asking you to enter your full personal, security or card details, even if the email is warning about fraudulent emails asking for account validation to prevent fraud. In addition, we will never ask you to tell us your passwords by e-mail, fax, or letter. However you contact us we will never ask for the full password - only part.

If you think you have revealed your security details in any way, or if you receive any suspicious looking emails please call us on 0845 054 4000 or +44 (0)1534 885 000, 8am-8pm (UK time) Monday to Friday.

'Pharming'

'Phishing' uses links that appear to be legitimate but actually take you somewhere else. 'Pharming' hijacks the domain name so that even if you are a 'phishing'-aware user who specifically types in the web site you want (e.g.www.bbc.co.uk); you will still end up at a different website anyway.

To help defeat 'pharming', you need to check the SSL (secure sockets layer), which provides you with a secure and private connection. When you log in to the Internet Banking Service, double-click the padlock symbol at the bottom of your browser to ensure the site certificate is valid and belongs to Abbey International. As long as the padlock symbol is there and is issued to Abbey International you are not at any risk.

Trojans

A trojan is a malicious file, usually disguised as something useful, but when activated, can cause loss, damage or even theft of data.

The critical difference between a trojan and a virus is that a trojan cannot replicate itself. The only way that it can spread is if you help it, typically by opening an email attachment, or downloading from the internet.

Once you open this file, the trojan goes to work destroying your computer's functionality - possibly recording your logging in details. A good line of defence is not to accept files from someone you don't know, and if you have any doubts, then do not open the file.

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Golden rules for safe online banking

Your home computer

Try to keep your computer secure using anti-virus and anti-spyware software and keep them up to date because new viruses are found all the time. Two popular packages are from McAfee (www.mcafee.co.uk) and Norton (www.symantec.co.uk). In addition you should also use a firewall, especially if you are using a Broadband connection.
If you use Microsoft Windows, visit http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/
default.mspx for a detailed step by step guide to help ensure your PC is protected.
Make sure you know who you are dealing with online. Always access the Abbey International website by typing in the exact bank address (www.abbeyinternational.com). Never enter a banking site via another link and disclose your log in details. This applies to any computer that you use.

To make your Internet Login Password harder to guess, follow these rules:

Passwords should be a combination of characters and numbers.
Avoid obvious character and number sequences.
Choose passwords that are familiar but difficult for others to guess.
Adopt passwords that can be typed relatively quickly making it difficult for someone else to observe.
Change your password(s) if you suspect that someone else may know them.
Never write your passwords down or disclose them via email.
Never tell anyone your passwords, not even employees of Abbey International.

Using other computers

Avoid using a shared computer, such as an Internet cafe, to access your accounts or apply online.
Remember that banking online via a public, networked or shared computer may mean your information is stored on that computer even after you’ve left it or logged off. You have no control over it.
Always make sure you log off successfully when you have finished. Close down your internet browser once you’ve logged off. Simply disconnecting from the internet itself isn’t enough.
Never leave the computer alone while you are logged into the Abbey International Internet Banking Service.
For your added protection, if you have been inactive after 10 minutes online with us, we’ll automatically log you off.

Your Membership Number and Security Code
If you think someone may know your Membership Number and/or Security Code you should notify us immediately by phoning 0845 054 4000 or +44 (0)1534 885 000. We will then take the necessary steps to close down your Internet Banking and help you re-apply.

If you think someone may know your Internet Login Password, then you will have to re-set it by clicking on ‘Change my passwords’ within Internet Banking.

To help you keep your online banking activity more secure, we recommend you follow some sensible rules:

Keep your Membership Number, Security Code and Internet Login Password safe at all times.
Avoid writing them down.
Never tell anyone what they are, even if you share a joint account with them. In fact, don’t even tell an Abbey International employee.

Email

Don't send account details or personal details by internet email because there’s always a risk it could be intercepted on the way.
Do not reply to emails asking for your Membership Number and Internet Login Password. Nobody needs to know them except you – not even us.
Be wary of “spam” emails – especially those offering you the chance to make money. Spam emails are, at best, a nuisance - the electronic equivalent of junk mail - and at worst, sent by unscrupulous people trying to defraud you. For more about spam emails visit www.spam.cl.cam.ac.uk/spam

Useful Information
If you have any concerns that a website you are using may not be genuine, or if you think your log in details may be known to a third party, please contact our Customer Relationship Centre on 0845 054 4000 or +44 (0)1534 885 000, 8am - 8pm (UK time) Monday to Friday.

For further information visit:

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Our 'Peace of Mind' Guarantee
To give you real peace of mind though, if you did lose any money when using our online services, we would pay you back any loss you incurred from fraud. All we ask is that you have taken the necessary safeguards to keep your account secure and that you haven't deliberately involved yourself in fraud. This is the essence of our Peace of Mind Guarantee. Abbey International really is as safe as it is quick and easy.

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