Keeping your bank account secured

There was a time when people were scared to get debit or credit cards or even use online payment methods. The fear of falling prey to fraudsters and the constant threat of hacking would have played on their minds. But things have changed with millennials more interested in online shopping usage of credit/debit cards and online payments have risen astronomically. With almost all banks providing mobile applications, the transfer of funds has become much easier. 

Even though banks provide 128-bit encryption there are still cases of hacking and theft from banking accounts. This article is about what are the pointers to know if you have been hacked and how to avoid it.

How do you know if you have been hacked? 

You will know if you have been hacked if you see any weird purchases that you did not make (Confirm with your wife first). These will be of large transactions as the hackers or fraudsters will try and steal the maximum amount immediately before you start noticing these transactions.

Once you start noticing such transaction immediately cancel your card and inform your bank to stop all payments.

How to protect my account?

Here we are going to talk about 3 things – Credit/Debit card transactions, online and mobile transactions, telephone queries.

1. Card transactions – here are a few tips to keep your card transactions safe

• Don't write down your pin – Never write down your pin in your purse or on a piece of paper. 

• Check the ATM machine – Before you do any ATM transactions check the machine for any anomalies. Fraudsters may insert a camera above the keypad and a card reader to collect your pin and card details.

• Cover the keypad when entering pin – Cover the keypad when entering the pin number when using your card at any place – restaurant, petrol bunk etc.

• Don't give your pin number to anybody – In many places like restaurants and petrol bunks the staff might say they don't have a card reader that is mobile. Do not give your pin number the waiter or bunk personal, make the effort to go and enter the pin yourself.

2. Online and Mobile transactions

• Change password – Change your password regularly. Like pin numbers for cards, do not write down the password or save it in your computer. 

• Do not auto save password – Many people auto save their pass word in their browser or in the application. Do not do this as your password and username or customer ID number can be hacked using cookies.

• Delete cookies – Keep flushing cookies on a continuous basis. Many spywares or trojans get inserted through these cookies or in most cases temporary internet files.

• Use only secured portals – Never give your bank details or account details in a website which only has http. Make sure it says https which means the page is encrypted and the transaction are secured.

• When changing mobile or PC – When ever changing your mobile device or PC always format or reset to factory settings to make sure none of your personal files, browser history and temporary files are not available. 


3. Telephone queries – Many a times people may contact you saying they are calling from your bank and will 'phish' for your personal details. Do not give them any details. If they are offering you anything collect the details and go to bank to apply for the schemes. 

The convenience that technology offers also comes with security reinforcements from our side and by being vigilant we can confidently step on to the digital world of banking. Follow these steps to keep your bank account secured and lead a tension free life.