Sharing your login details compromises the security of your account. Even if the person you share your credentials with is trustworthy, they may store your details insecurely or on a compromised device. We strongly advise against sharing your login details. If you must share them, regularly monitor your account and subscribe to SMS alerts for your financial transactions.
Never share your PIN or card details with anyone. When using your card at an ATM or POS machine, use your hand to cover the keypad. Never write your PIN on your card. Do not respond to text messages, emails, or calls asking for your card details or PIN, even if they seem to originate from the bank. Do not use numbers from your birthday, phone, or account number as your PIN. Ensure anyone behind you is at a safe distance and cannot see your PIN as you enter it. Also, make sure to sign up for transaction alerts on your VISA Debit Card.
Things to look out for are:
- 1. Authority - Is the message claiming to be from an official of the bank? For example, a message claiming it's from Customer Service Manager. Criminals often pretend to portray adequate authority to trick you into doing what they want.
- 2. Urgency - Are you told you have a limited time to respond (such as 'within 24 hours' or 'immediately')? Criminals often threaten you with fines or other negative consequences.
- 3. Emotion - Does the message make you panic, fearful, hopeful, or curious? Criminals often use threatening language, make false claims of support, or tease you into wanting to find out more.
- 4. Scarcity - Is the message offering something in short supply, like tickets, money, or a cure for medical conditions? Fear of missing out on a good deal or opportunity can make you respond quickly.
- 5. Current events - Are you expecting to see a message like this? Criminals often exploit current news stories, big events, or specific times of year (like the Covid cure) to make their scam seem more relevant to you.
If you think a message or call might really be from the bank and you want to be sure, go back to something you can trust. Visit our official website, log in to your online banking account, or call our Customer Call Center. Don't use the links or contact details in the message you have been sent or given over the phone. Also, check to see if the information being asked for is something we will never ask you for, such as your password.
Reporting suspicious messages is crucial to protect yourself and others from being affected. If you are suspicious of any message received from SLCB, please report it. Doing so will help us investigate the origin of the text and take action if found to be malicious.
If you've already responded to a suspicious message, take the following steps:
1. If you've been tricked into providing your banking details, please contact us immediately.
2. If you've given out your password, change it immediately on all of your accounts that use the same password.
Make yourself a harder target for criminals. They can use publicly available information about you to make fraudulent messages more convincing. This information could be gleaned from your social media accounts. To make life harder for criminals, review your privacy settings for your social media applications and think about what you post (and who can see it).
