Protect yourself from fraud

With a few simple precautions, you can ensure that the risk of your financial information being fraudulently obtained by a third party is kept as low as possible.

• Keep your plan security code, your online password and your Intelligent Finance username safe and secret. Don't write them down and don't choose anything too obvious for your password. Use our password hints and tips below.
• Keep a close eye on your online plan. If you spot anything suspicious, contact us straightaway.
• Make sure you use effective anti-virus and appropriate malware detection software.
• Always ensure you log out from your plan when you've finished online, by using the 'log out' button. Be particularly careful if you use a PC in a public place - for example, internet cafes or airports.
• Never leave your PC unattended when logged in to your plan, especially without a screen lock. We recommend that you log out if you leave your PC unattended.
• When logging in to your plan, make sure that no-one can see what you're typing.
• Never respond to emails that request you to reply with your security details, including those that appear to be from Intelligent Finance. We will never send emails containing, or requesting that you reply with, confidential information or security details.
• Remember that protecting your plan security code, passwords and customer identification number is your responsibility.
  

Scams come in all shapes and sizes, from dodgy emails to fake sites. And they keep changing to try and trick you. Stay one step ahead by learning about the latest scams.

Coronavirus scam

What to look out for:

People are using the coronavirus outbreak as an opportunity to try new scams by email, call and text. One email has a PDF document with up-to-date advice on the outbreak. This is likely to be a scam. The document could contain a computer virus to infect your device. This will then try to steal your personal or payment details.

What you should do:

• Don’t open emails if you don’t know who sent them.
• Even if you know the sender, don’t reply if an email looks odd.
• Look out for spelling mistakes and a messy layout.
• Don’t click on any links or attachments unless you know they’re safe.
• If you’re not sure about an email, call the sender using a number from their site. Don’t call the number in an email or pop up.
• Coronavirus scams even use online marketplaces such as Facebook to sell goods like face masks and hand sanitisers that don’t exist.
• Before you buy anything online it’s best to do some research and check buyer reviews to make sure a seller is genuine. And always pay by card - that way you protect your cash.

Fake DVLA texts

What to look out for:

There’s been an increase in DVLA scams online. The most popular scam is by text message. It will tell you that you’re owed a refund and ask you to click on a link. The link will take you to a page which asks for personal or account details. This is likely to be a scam to try and steal your details.

What you should do:

• Be careful about opening texts that you didn’t expect.
• Don’t click on any links or attachments unless you’re sure they are genuine.
• If you’re unsure, call the DVLA. Use a number from their website, not one from a text.

Being careful about the password you pick can make it much harder for automatic password detection software to seek out your password.

• Don't ever use your own name, or the name of a favourite football team, child, pet, partner or friend
• Don't use a word which you would find in a dictionary or a proper noun without amending it in some way
• Use a combination of letters and numbers.

How do I remember my password?

One way of doing this is to think of a memorable word and then change some of the letters into numbers.

For example, you could choose the word "swooning", then replace an "o" and an "i" with the digits "0" and "1" - "swo0n1ng". This means you should be able to remember the password - but it will still be very difficult for someone else to guess.

Please do not use the above example as your password!

We guarantee to refund your money in the unlikely event you experience fraud with our Internet Banking service – as long as you’ve been careful, for example, by taking reasonable steps to keep your security information safe. Please contact us straightaway to report suspected fraud.