This Black Friday, Royal Bank of Scotland will process over one million customer card transactions per hour. There is a risk fraudster will take advantage of an increase in spending, targeting consumers over the weekend. To help prevent fraud and scams, Royal Bank of Scotland is issuing a series of tips to help customers stay safe and secure.
- If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.
- Be aware of counterfeits on social media. If the price is far lower than usual and from a retailer you hadn’t previously heard of, it’s likely to be a scam.
- Using your credit or debit card to pay offers you significant protection from fraud and poor-quality goods. If you are asked to send money direct to the bank account of the seller, be very careful - this could be a fraudster.
- Stick to believable bargains and retailers you know.
- A padlock on a website URL means it’s encrypted for payment but still be cautious, goods might not be genuine even though your details are safe.
- Be on alert for bad spelling and grammar mistakes or phrases that don’t sound quite right.
- Banks never ask for personal or private information over text or email. Delete suspicious messages and report to the bank on a number you can trust.
Jason Costain, head of Fraud, Royal Bank of Scotland said: “Ahead of one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year it is important we are aware of the risks that fraudsters present. We want our customers to enjoy shopping over the festive season and have offered a few simple steps to follow to avoid becoming the victim of a scam.”
More information on how to avoid becoming a victim of a scam can be found at www.rbs.co.uk and by searching security centre.
