Criminals operate everywhere, including on the streets, which is why it’s important to keep your phone and digital banking details safe. They might try to steal your mobile phone or ‘shoulder surf’ you.
If your phone has banking apps or saved card details, someone who gets access could attempt to make purchases or send money without your permission.
Shoulder surfing is when criminals hover over your shoulder to obtain your personal or financial information. They might try to see your passwords, PINs or other personal information.
This could take place anywhere – on a bus, at a cash machine, even walking down the street.
How to keep your phone safe
Always hold your phone with two hands in public, criminals can walk or even cycle past you and snatch it within seconds
Where possible, use biometric authentication (fingerprint or facial recognition). If you do need to enter a PIN or passcode, ensure no one is looking over your shoulder
Don’t save all your passwords in your notes. Instead, consider using a password protected password manager to keep your passwords safe and secure
Make sure you have different passcodes and PINs for your lock screen and banking app and that they are completely unique from anything else
Check how you can report your phone as lost or stolen on your banking app or website, so you know what to do if this happens
Be aware that criminals may try to steal your phone and then pretend they’ve found it. They might ask you to enter your passcode to prove it’s your phone. If this happens, make sure they can’t see the passcode as they could try and steal it later
What to do if your phone is stolen
- Find your local bank branch to report your phone as stolen and freeze your card immediately, or use a friend’s or family member’s phone to call your bank. Alternatively, as above, report your stolen phone through your bank’s procedure
- Report it to the police by visiting your closest police station or using a friend’s or family member’s phone
- Contact your network provider to let them know. This will stop criminals being able to use your number and impersonate you
- You can remotely wipe the data on your phone on Android and Apple phones so that criminals won’t be able to get hold of it
A-Z of scams
Take Five to Stop Fraud
Criminals are experts at impersonating people, organisations and the police. They spend hours researching you for their scams, hoping you’ll let your guard down for just a moment. Stop and think. It could protect you and your money.
STOP
Take a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information. It could keep you safe.
CHALLENGE
Ask yourself, could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
PROTECT
Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve been scammed and tell the Police at reportfraud.police.uk or on 0300 123 2040.