Protect your information

Email scams and spam emails
Phishing email scams
Trojans, viruses & spyware
Advanced fee fraud (419) scams
General advice
 

Email scams and spam emails

Spam emails are randomly sent to email addresses purporting to come from an organisation or individual and they might claim to contain urgent news, confirmation of a non-existent order, that charges will be made to a credit card, or indeed any excuse to encourage the recipient to click on a link and visit a spoof web site.

Visiting the web page with an unprotected computer and web browser allows the attacker to run malicious code on your PC, usually installing a trojan or keylogger. Should this happen, the attacker can gain full remote access to your PC, which then allows them to steal usernames, passwords, other personal information and to control the computer for other purposes such as sending more spam emails and installing other malicious software.

Remember, Clydesdale Bank will never ask for your Internet Banking password or security questions by email.

If you receive an email from an organisation or individual that you don’t know, ignore it. Don’t click on any links, and don’t reply to it. Simply delete it.
 

Phishing Email Scams

A phishing email is a fraudulent email claiming to be from a bank or other well-known company. These emails are sent out randomly by fraudsters and can look very convincing. They employ a number of tricks to persuade you to disclose information. For example, they may inform you of a problem with your account and ask that you urgently verify your account details.

The email will request that you follow a link to the bank's website where you will be prompted to enter a range of information such as your Internet Banking customer ID, password and security question answers. In addition they may ask for your credit card number, personal identification number (PIN) or other personal information such as mother's maiden name and date of birth.

Clicking on the link, however, will actually take you to a spoof website operated by the fraudster who will collect any information that is entered by you for their own fraudulent use.

Here’s a recent example of a phishing email (opens in a new window)
 

What to do if you think you have received a phishing email

• Do not reply to the email and NEVER follow any links.
• Forward the email to us at reportphishing-cb@cbonline.co.uk (please note no acknowledgement will be sent)
• Delete the email from your inbox.

Remember, Clydesdale Bank will never ask for your Internet Banking password or security questions by email or telephone.

Always access internet banking by typing the address into your web browser. Never go to websites from a link in an email then enter personal details.
 

Trojans, Viruses & Spyware

Malicious software such as computer viruses, Trojans and spyware are becoming more prevalent and stealthy. Some Trojans are specifically designed to steal your personal information. That may include your Internet Banking customer ID, password and security question answers. In addition they may capture your credit card number, personal identification number (PIN) or other personal information.

This malicious software can get onto your PC in a number of ways. Opening an attachment in an email from an untrusted source or browsing an infected website can lead to a Trojan being installed.

Some symptoms:

• Your system may appear to run more slowly.
• Your system may crash unexpectedly.
• Some websites may appear to behave differently, eg displaying additional forms for you to input personal information.
• Your anti-virus system generates errors or warnings.

Please review the Protect Your Computer section for advice.
 

Advanced Fee Fraud (419) Scams

This type of scam is usually carried out via email. Fraudsters will randomly send out a huge number of emails claiming the recipient has won a substantial amount of money.

Typically the recipient will be asked to provide some personal details and make an upfront payment to facilitate the transfer of their winnings. Of course, the prize will never materialise and the victim is left out of pocket.

Remember, if it sounds too good to be true it probably is.

Here’s a recent example of an Advanced Fee Fraud email: Click here for example

What to do if you think you have received an Advanced Fee Fraud email:

• Do not reply to the email and NEVER follow any links.
• Forward the email to us at reportphishing-cb@cbonline.co.uk (please note no acknowledgement will be sent)
• Delete the email from your inbox.

General advice

• Only enter personal details in trusted secure websites by ensuring that the security icon (locked padlock or unbroken key symbol) is showing in the bottom of your browser window.
• Keep your password and answers to security questions secret.
• Do not use obvious passwords, like your date of birth, telephone number, address, your name or the name of a friend or relative.
• Do not use your Internet Banking password for anything else, eg your email account.
• Don’t access Internet Banking from computers situated in public places such as internet café’s in case they’ve been infected with a Trojan. Be suspicious of any unsolicited calls purporting to be from the Bank asking for bank, credit card or personal information to be disclosed and report these immediately
• Do not respond to any unsolicited Text Messages purporting to be from the Bank asking you to validate any internet banking or personal information and report these immediately