In this report, Banky sets out the common forms of online fraud and the key tips for protecting your accounts and data from cybercrime (phishing or online fraud).

Forms of online fraud:

Online fraud now takes many forms, all aimed at luring internet users into revealing personal data such as:

  1. 1. Requests for your national ID card number.

  2. 2. Credit card details and bank account information.

  3. 3. Email addresses and passwords, to be exploited or used illegally or to disrupt digital or financial services. This also includes phone calls from people impersonating others or posing as fictitious persons to obtain personal data over the phone.

  4. 4. Fraudulent text messages promising fake winnings.

  5. 5. Emails sent from an address resembling that of a well-known body or institution, containing malicious links and files.

  6. Key tips to protect your accounts and data from cybercrime (phishing or online fraud):

  7. 1. Do not disclose your credit card details except when using the card to buy from trusted, secure websites, and never disclose them for any other reason.

  8. 2. Use your card to shop online only on a trusted, secure website or browser, by checking that a closed (unbroken) padlock appears next to the site's or browser's address (URL).

  9. 3. Make sure the website address begins with (https).

  10. 4. Never give your card number, account number or any personal data to a caller claiming to be a bank employee or to work for any other official authority. Banks never ask their customers to update their data over the phone.

  11. 5. Do not be fooled by text messages from unknown sources, especially if they ask you to open a link (URL) or download a program in the name of fake prizes or winnings. Delete them immediately and do not forward them to others.

  12. 6. Choose a strong, unpredictable password, and do not save it when using or visiting any website or browser.

  13. 7. Do not reuse the same password across more than one of your personal accounts.

  14. 8. Do not transfer or accept any money in your bank account from unknown or untrusted parties.

  15. 9. Keep your personal information with your bank up to date, including your mobile number, so the bank can contact you and alert you to any unusual transaction on your card or bank account.