There are a number of ways you can be targeted online. Shopping, using social networking websites and even emails all pose different risks...
Phishing, in simple terms is someone trying to trick you into giving your personal information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details via an email that looks like it's from your bank. This sneaky approach is very successful and fools a lot of people causing massive headaches.
Banks and credit card companies will never email to ask you for confidential information so even if it looks like it could be from one, don't respond and alert your bank.
Another popular phishing scam is to email you to claim that your account will be closed unless you confirm confidential personal information or update security details. These are not genuine emails from Capital One, Mastercard® or VISA.
Emails which sound too good to be true usually are. So if you receive an elaborate story to make you think you can make some easy money from someone you've never heard of, do yourself a massive favour and bin it.
If you think you've received a hoax email pretending to be from Capital One, please forward it to abuse@capitalone.com.
If you are concerned that you may have divulged confidential personal information about yourself or if your Capital One security details have been compromised, please contact us immediately.
Here are a few simple steps you can take to protect yourself on the internet:
- Ensure that you have up to date virus protection and a firewall to protect you when online
- Be careful what information you share on social networking websites. Avoid sharing personal information such as your date of birth or address as this can be used by fraudsters.
- Use strong passwords that can't be guessed, passwords with letters and numbers are normally strong. Avoid obvious passwords like date of birth
- Don't share your passwords with anyone, including your banks and credit card providers. They will never ask you to reveal it
- Use different passwords for your different accounts
- If more information than usual is requested when you log into your account online, don't complete it and alert your bank. This is another clever tactic fraudsters use to get hold of your data.