There’s not much that we don’t do on our phones, tablet or computers these days – we can shop, book restaurants, browse social media, transfer money and fill out forms all from the comfort of our couch if we want to. And with so much information being shared online each day through various apps and websites, it’s important to ensure you stay safe online to protect yourself from scams, fraud and identity theft.
Your privacy and security are our highest priority. P&N Bank has comprehensive security measures to ensure your accounts and personal information are protected from unauthorised access. Your privacy is also protected by our Privacy Policy.
So, while we do our bit to keep your information safe, it’s also important you take steps to stay safe online.
Here are our top tips for protecting yourself:
Don’t overshare
Be careful how much personal information you share online. You should treat it like money and don’t leave key information accessible on social media or other online platforms.
This includes answering those tempting questions that tell you your alter ego is the name of your first pet and your street name. You’re giving away more than you realise!
Have a strong password game
Create passwords and passphrases that are hard for others to guess. They should be at least 16 characters long, use a mix of letters, numbers and symbols and vary for each high-risk account (banking, online payments and social media).
Without stating the obvious, don’t be obvious – give the old ‘password123’ a miss and make sure you avoid using your birthday, phone numbers or name as your password. It’s good to mix it up using different passwords for each site you use and change your online banking and other important passwords regularly.
Be mobile aware
Mobile technology is always advancing, as is the ability to manage banking via apps and pay for things using a smart phone. To stay ahead of the pack, keep your devices updated with the latest software and regularly update your operating systems, anti-virus software, browsers, apps and plugins.
Remember to never keep your member number and password with your phone or stored in your phone as a note and make sure you exit the app or lock your phone when you’ve finished banking. Your mobile session will also automatically close after a period of inactivity.
Make sure you get in touch with P&N Bank immediately if you’ve lost your mobile device or you think someone may know your login details. We can put steps in place to keep your bank accounts safe.
Be on the lookout for suspicious emails or messages
Stop and think before clicking on an SMS or email link, or opening attachments. Use separate email addresses for work and personal use, and don’t share your email address online.
Watch out for phoney phone calls. Common scams include callers claiming to be from your bank and asking for banking details or stating that incorrect funds have been transferred into your account. P&N Bank will never ask for you to transfer money to correct an error.
An alternative to the more common email scams, SMS phishing uses a text message to deliver an attachment or link to your device. P&N Bank will never send an email or SMS including a link directing you to login or requesting you to enter your account details, so make sure you pay close attention to who is contacting you.
We will also never ask you to download software or an app, or to tell us your SMS security code to authorise a transaction, your PIN or internet banking password.
Only download mobile apps from the official Google Play and Apple App stores
Whether you’re an Android or Apple user, always make sure you are in the official app store before downloading any new apps. Never download an app directly off a website or from an email, as these can often be malicious.
When we promote the P&N Bank mobile app or our budgeting app, mymo, the link provided will always take you to the official app store.
If you ever have any questions or concerns about your privacy, please contact us on 13 25 77 or email info@pnbank.com.au.