Heritage Bank reminds people to remain cyber security savvy

24 February 2020

Heritage Bank is encouraging people to remain vigilant and take simple security precautions to avoid becoming the victim of cyber criminals.

In recent years there’s been an explosion in the amount of time people spend online thanks to social media, online shopping and more. However, with this comes the risk of cyber crime like online fraud and scams.

CEO Peter Lock said “Cyber criminals target you anytime, anywhere, anyhow, and they don’t discriminate – all individuals, businesses, and organisations are at risk.

“The safety and security of our customers’ information is really important to us. That’s why we want to remind everyone of the importance taking precautions online and protecting their personal information.”

Heritage Bank offered some of its top tips to stay safe online:

• Do not click on links or respond to emails that ask for personal information, user names and passwords. These often lead to fake websites designed to capture personal information or install malware on your device.
• If you are unsure of the legitimacy of an email or promotion, call the organisation directly to check whether or not any communications you receive are genuine.
• Keep your anti-virus up to date on all PCs and Mobile devices and conduct regular scans.
• Use strong passwords and change them regularly. Avoid using the same passwords for multiple sites.  
• Don’t overshare on social media. Check your social media privacy settings and avoid posting personal information that will put you at risk.

If you are ever concerned about the security of your account or suspicious about the legitimacy of any communication you receive, contact Heritage Bank as soon as possible. 

More fraud and online security tips are available on Heritage Bank’s website here.

For more details about reporting and identifying scams and fraud, visit SCAMWATCH, Stay Smart Online and Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network websites.