Top tips to stay safe from fraud
Feel confident and secure with straightforward guidance on keeping your information safe and learning about the different types of fraud you should know about.
Here are the steps you can take to protect yourself from fraud
- Be careful of the info you share on social media and online quizzes – like pet names and address details. These answers are often used for additional security questions.
- Regularly check your statements and credit file and report anything suspicious as soon as possible.
- Shred any paperwork that shows financial details or personal info. This could be your name, date of birth or address.
- Make sure your contact details are up to date. This includes your address, phone number and email address. We may need to contact you to confirm a transaction.
- Never share your one-time passcode or PIN with anyone. Vanquis will never ask for these. If someone does, it’s probably a scam.
- If you move house, ask Royal Mail to redirect your post to your new address for at least a year.
- Take the time to stop and think. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Log in to websites directly through your browser rather than clicking a link.
- Keep your card with you and in a safe place.
- Don’t be embarrassed about reporting a scam. Speaking up could help protect other potential victims.
Different types of fraud
Identity theft
This is when your personal info is stolen and used to open bank accounts or apply for credit cards and loans. Criminals can find and use your personal details – like your name, date of birth and address – to commit identity theft. They might find them by stealing your mail or even just looking at your social media accounts. To spot identify fraud, look out for:
- Transactions on your statement you don't recognise
- Letters you've received, or entries on your credit file, about accounts you didn't apply for
- Bills, invoices or receipts for something you haven't asked for
Account takeover fraud
This is when criminals persuade you to share personal information so they can access your bank account. Once they’re in, they may change your details to make unauthorised purchases. Look out for:
- Your account details (phone number, address, card number) changing without you knowing
- Transactions on your statement you don’t recognise - including Direct Debits and standing orders
- Your mobile banking app being deregistered and a new one set up on a device you don’t know
Card fraud
Card fraud is when a criminal steals personal info about your credit or debit card account – or steals your actual card – to buy goods or services with it.
Always make sure your contact details are up to date – we may need to ask you about a suspicious transaction. To help stop card fraud, look out for:
- Unrecognised transactions on your statement
- Websites that aren’t secure or genuine, accessed through a link in an email or social media post
- Unusual ATM machines or card machines – criminals can tamper with these
Money mules
A money mule is someone criminals use to move the proceeds of crime through their own accounts – usually for a small commission – to help launder money and avoid detection.
- A legitimate company will never ask you to use your own bank account to transfer their money. Don’t accept any job offers that ask you to do this.
- Be especially wary of job offers from people or companies overseas as it will be harder for you to find out if they’re legitimate.
- Never give your financial details to someone you don’t know and trust.
Always contact your bank immediately if you notice any of the above.
Helpful links and support
If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, you can report it to Action Fraud, the national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre.
Visit the National Crime Agency, Get Safe Online and Take Five websites for more info on fraud and how to protect yourself.