Social media

Fraudsters can use social media to get your information or ask for money, sometimes by starting fake relationships. They may also pretend to be you by contacting your friends and family to ask for money.

Quick tips to stay safe:

  • Fraudsters can get hold of your personal information, including your address or mobile number, from your social media profile, so think carefully before sharing information online.

  • Keep your profile private.

  • Don’t accept friend requests from someone you don’t know.

  • If you get a strange message or new request from a friend you already connect with online, don’t accept. They may have been hacked.

  • If someone you know asks for your bank details or money online, make sure they haven’t been hacked and speak to them directly. Don’t send any money.

To be clear, a bank or Building Society will never:

  • Ask you to disclose your PIN number or other passwords for your accounts
  • Encourage you to move funds from your own account into a different “safe” account
  • Encourage you to order and pay for UK cash via the phone or internet.
  • Charge up front fees for repayment holidays
  • Make home visits to collect mortgage arrears on your doorstep
  • Demand an immediate payment of mortgage arrears over the phone
  • Demand payment of mortgage arrears via email providing you with a link through which to make payments. Individuals who approach you saying that they are building society employees and who pressurise you in the ways outlined above are criminals.

How to report fraud

If you think you've been a victim of fraud or if you suspect fraudulent activity on your account with us, please contact us to report it immediately.

We may monitor or record our calls for security purposes.

You can also report this to Action fraud on 0300 123 2040 (Lines open 24 hours a day.)

Looking for more information:

These sites give information on how to bank online safely and how to avoid fraud and identity theft. They have information on common scams and where to find out information on the latest viruses and Trojans. None of these sites or vendors are specifically endorsed or recommended by Swansea Building Society.

www.financialfraudaction.org.uk

www.identitytheft.org.uk

www.ukpayments.org.uk

www.getsafeonline.org

www.cardwatch.org.uk

www.takefive-stopfraud.org.uk

www.actionfraud.police.uk

www.cifas.org.uk/individuals

www.fca.org.uk/consumers

www.cyberaware.gov.uk