SABB

Keep your details and identity secure

Identity theft is the act of stealing or using an individual's personal information without their knowledge or consent, for example, to illegally apply for credit, make purchases, or gain access to funds. Since the statements or bills created from the fraudulent accounts are often sent to a different address, the victim may not be aware of the increased debt until they are tracked down by creditors or are turned down for credit themselves. Identity theft can take months to detect and even longer to clear.

Reduce your risk and protect your personal information in all your financial dealings, whether over the Internet or during your normal banking activities, by following these tips:

Top Tips

1. If you can, try to avoid using SABBNET, or any critical passwords, at Internet Cafés, Libraries, and other public sites to avoid the risk of information being copied and re-entered after you leave.
2. Be aware that there are phoney web sites designed to trick you and collect your personal information. Sometimes links to such web sites are contained in emails purporting to come from financial institutions. Try whenever possible to use a known web address, or use a Favourite, to link to bank pages.
3. Always change passwords that may have been compromised.
4. Contact SABB if you think someone else knows your SABBNET password
5. Use a password on your computer to prevent unauthorised individuals from accessing your information. If you are unsure how to do this, you may need to ask someone.
6. This will help prevent others from seeing personal information. On Internet Explorer for example, the ‘AutoComplete' function remembers data you have input, sometimes including passwords. Typically the browser's own Help function will tell you how to do this.
7. Buy from well-known companies – and only provide bank information in secure sessions.

Keep your passwords secure

Passwords are the key to your online account information, to accounts at online stores and a host of other activities. Your SABBNET password would permit access to your bank accounts. For this reason it should be unique and very well protected.

Top tips

1. Do not be tempted to share your passwords with anyone.
2. Be unique: Try and create passwords that are unique and that cannot be easily guessed by someone else.
3. Be different: Avoid using the same password for different services.
4. Don't be personal: Do not be tempted to use passwords that can easily be guessed e.g. your name, your birth dates, telephone numbers.
5. Never write them down: If you really need to record your password then use a code system, e.g. transpose some of the letters. No one at SABB will ever ask you for your SABBNET password. If someone does ask you for it – they do not represent SABB.

Keep your computer secure

The Internet offers hackers the opportunity to access your system. In fact, although the web is a great way to find the demos, downloads, and music you may want, it's then that you could be at most risk. Follow the "golden rules" to minimise that risk and protect yourself.

Top Tips

1. Disable your computer's 'File and Printer Sharing' capabilities to help prevent unauthorised access. Use your computer's Help function for instructions.
2. Filename extensions: Most operating systems use filename extensions . For example a word document ends in .doc and a photo image might end in .jpg
   By default some operating systems do not show these extensions. Whilst this presents cleaner looking file names, it also provides viruses with a means to hide. Use your computer's Help function (Index and then “display”) for steps needed to display file extensions.
   Any file with what appears to be a double extension – e.g. wow.jpg.pif is almost certainly a virus and should never be opened.
3. Be wary of opening any unexpected emails with attachments
   A common way for a virus to spread is via email. Some viruses send copies of themselves to everyone in the infected PC's address book. This means it could appear to come from someone you know.
   
   Never open an e-mail attachment that contains a file ending .exe, .pif, .vbs as these are commonly used with viruses.

Keep your SABBNET session secure

You should ensure that you and your family are aware of potential pitfalls and know the best way to deal with them. There are two key areas to focus on.

Logging in: Ensure you enter your correct password(s) without the details being overlooked by someone else.

Logging off: Always remember to Log-off SABBNET and close your browser when you have finished your online banking. This will clear all traces of your visit from the PC's memory.

Top tips

1. Your SABBNET ID and password are your keys to accessing our online services. Only the right combination of these allows you access.
2. Don't use links to access our site: Always enter the web address or use a Favourite. Do not use a link as this could in theory take you to a phoney web site that may look exactly like ours.
3. Avoid using shared computers for SABBNET: Try to avoid using shared public PCs, such as those in Internet cafes, to access SABBNET.

Keep your emails secure

Generally, email that is sent or received through a regular email address (e.g. yourname@hotmail.com) is not secured or encrypted to protect the content. Therefore, any personal information you include in an email is at risk of being intercepted by unauthorised individuals. Do not send your SABBNET Id and/or passwords by email to anyone – ever.

Top tips

1. Don't answer any unexpected emails requesting personal information.
2. Be wary of opening any unexpected emails with attachments: A common way for a virus to spread is via email. Some viruses send copies of themselves to everyone in the infected PC's address book. This means it could appear to come from someone you know.
   Never open an e-mail attachment that contains a file ending .exe, .pif, .vbs as these are commonly used with viruses.
   Any file that appears to have a double extension is almost certainly a virus and should be deleted. Use your computer's Help function for further instructions.
3. Review who you use as your Internet Service Provider (ISP): Apart from varying prices, ISP's now offer a range of services that include virus protection on incoming e-mails.

Protect yourself - even when you are offline

Even when you are offline, there's much that you can do to protect yourself. This centres on keeping private information strictly private.

Top Tips

1. Don't be tempted to share your User IDs, password or any unique personal identifier / details with someone else.
   Nor should you supply personal information to anyone over the phone or to a web site unless the source has been verified. SABB would never ask for SABBNET passwords over the phone.
   You should memorise your Passwords; do not record information in wallets or purses.
2. Read your statements: Review your bank and credit card statements for any unusual transactions or withdrawals and notify the bank immediately if you suspect any discrepancies.
3. Notify your bank of any changes: Tell us of any changes in your personal details (e.g. address change).
4. Store bank details in a safe place e.g. statements, cheque books
5. Credit and Bank cards: If you plan to cancel a card (or it expires), immediately destroy the card by cutting it in two, through the account number and the magnetic strip.
6. Keep yourself and your property safe and protected to minimise your risk of theft: Be careful of any personal information you discard. If you can, destroy receipts, pre-approved credit card applications, bank statements and any bills that contain personal information.