Here are 10 ways you can protect yourself against cybercrime and fraud.
Get a copy of your credit report once a year and keep an eye out for any unfamiliar transactions. If a fraudster has used your name to take out a loan or credit card, it may not show on your regular statements.
Stay up-to-date with the latest fraud and scam warnings on HSBC Security Centre.
Phishing attacks seek to steal your personal or business information. Scammers may email, SMS or call you, pretending to be from a legitimate organisation. It's often hard to tell if this communication is real or not.
They'll try to get you to divulge passwords, bank details or other personal information. You may be asked to open embedded links, scan QR codes or download attached files to put malware on your device.
Make sure the person contacting you is actually from the company they say they're from – don't just take their word for it.
Knowing intimate details like your mother's maiden name doesn't mean the callers are genuine. Criminals may:
If you have any doubt at all, get the caller's name and contact information and hang up. Then, contact the company directly, using a genuine email or phone number.
Always look carefully at links and suspicious texts before clicking on anything. Don't open email attachments from sources you can't verify as safe and genuine. If in doubt, delete the email or SMS immediately.
Always keep your personal and account information safe to prevent scams. Don't share your usernames, PINs or passwords and don't write them down anywhere – if you forget them, you can always call your bank for assistance.
Use strong passwords consisting of letters, numbers and symbols, and change them regularly. Be careful about using regular words or names as they may be easy for scammers to guess.
Always update your computer, tablet and smartphone operating systems as soon as these become available and install anti-virus software. This makes them harder to hack. If your device is too old to update, you may want to consider an upgrade.
Read more: Protect your Android device from malware
A bank or other trusted organisations will never ask you for your PIN or full password in an email, on the phone or in writing. Be careful with the level of detail you share on social media sites and check your privacy settings.
Protect your HSBC SMS code like you would your password and PIN. Do not disclose it – or any HSBC Online Banking access codes – to anyone, or you could risk shouldering losses as a result of fraud.
To keep your money safe and secure, we use unique One Time Passcodes (OTPs). You may have received one when paying someone new, adding a card to Apple Pay or Google Pay, or changing your personal banking details online. Scammers will want to try to gain access to OTPs to access your account. To stay safe, never share your OTP with anyone, make sure the details in an OTP match your transaction and if you receive an OTP that you didn't ask for, please contact us immediately.
Never download or install software you're not familiar with or allow a person making an unsolicited call to access your computer remotely.
Need to reset your password? Go to our Online Banking FAQs to find out how to do this.
A bank or other trusted organisation will never force you to make an on-the-spot financial transaction or transfer, or rush you while you pause to think.
Slow down, so that you can consider your actions and your options. If you're uncomfortable in any way, don't be afraid to hang up.
They don't call it a gut feeling for nothing. If something feels wrong or seems too good to be true, question it. Criminals aim to either pressure you or lull you into a false sense of security while your defences are down.
Always make it a point to think carefully about the information you're giving and the decisions you're being asked to make. A good rule to stick to: don't send money or personal information to people you don't know.
Have the confidence to refuse unusual requests for personal or financial details, or if someone asks you to set up payments or make payments out of the ordinary.
It's easy to feel embarrassed when faced with unexpected or complex conversations. But if you don't feel in control of a discussion, it's fine to end it straight away. Again, get the caller's name, hang up and call the company directly on a number from a trusted source.
Explore more: Elder financial abuse
If you shop online, always use secure websites. Make sure the web address (URL) starts with 'https' or has a padlock symbol at the front. Even then, you must be vigilant against fake websites that appear to be authentic. Access online stores directly through their websites, not by opening an email or social media link.
Avoid shopping or banking on public networks, such as free Wi-Fi networks. If you must connect to public Wi-Fi:
Banking with HSBC? Download the HSBC Australia Mobile Banking app only from official app stores to avoid possible malware.
First off, always check the amount you're paying has been entered correctly. Avoid swiping your card when making purchases or signing for purchases (when overseas). Opt for the more secure options of inserting or tapping your card, or even using a PIN.
If you've misplaced your card or seen suspicious activity on it, you can place a temporary block on your card.
