A typical phishing scam involves a fraudster sending an email to a customer claiming to be from their bank. It may ask them to reset their security details by clicking on a link. The phishing site will ask for all of the customer's security credentials as well and maybe other details such as card number, expiry date and cv2 number. Please remember we will never ask for your bank or security details.

Malware, hidden within the links in phishing emails, is becoming more and more common. It's therefore really important that you don't click on any links if you suspect it to be a phishing email.

Your help is vital in combating this process so if you think that you've received a phishing email please forward it to us.

Help and further information:

• Find out more about Malware in the section below.
• We provide free TrustDefender software that can help protect you against phishing and malware. You can TrustDefenderfind out more and download it here.
• Find out how to spot the difference between a genuine Tesco Bank email and a phishing email.
• Find out how to report a phishing email in our Contacts and Links section.
• Find out how else we protect you.
• Find out more about phishing at Get Safe Online.

There is also the possibility that fraudsters could try to phish information via the telephone or through SMS messaging. When receiving phone calls or SMS text messages claiming to be from your bank please be vigilant. If you feel uneasy about what you are being asked please hang up and call us using the numbers on our Contact Us page.

Malware is malicious software, such as Trojans and Viruses, designed to infect your computer without your informed consent or knowledge. It can monitor your keystrokes (thereby recording everything you do), take control of your computer, or do any number of other things that can affect the performance of your computer.

Malware is generally distributed through email, social networking sites and video sites.

If malware has infected a friends computer it may try and distribute the malware amongst all of their contacts via emails or Social Networking sites so always be vigilant even when receiving requests and messages from friends and family. It will usually do this by asking you to click on a link.

Although anti-virus software is effective in detecting and removing the majority of malware it is not 100% effective. Vigilance is the best defence.

Help and further information:

• We provide free TrustDefender software that can help protect you against phishing and malware - find out more and download it here.
• Find out more about how you can protect your computer.

Never give personal or account details to anyone who contacts you unexpectedly. Be suspicious even if they claim to be from your bank or the police. If they claim to be the bank and you are unsure then ask what department they are and then call the number on your statement or card.

If you use our online service to manage your Tesco Bank Credit Card, Savings or Loans accounts, please note that we will never ask you to reveal your full security number. We will only ever ask you for random digits.

Don't use the same security details for more than one account and never use banking security details for any other websites. This increases security and makes it less likely that someone could access any other accounts.

Keep your security details safe and never record or store them in a manner which leaves them open to theft, such as in your purse or wallet.

You could be liable for any losses on your account if you are found to have acted with gross negligence and not kept your security details secure.

The rise in popularity of Social Networking Sites has also given fraudsters a great way to steal personal details from people who have minimal security settings or publish personal details on their home page of message boards.

Fraudsters use stolen profiles to post messages to friends of the victim with links to malicious software. Always be careful when clicking on links even if you do know the person who posted it.

Help and further information:

• Find out more about safe social networking at Get Safe Online.

Shoulder surfing is an old style of fraud that typically happens at ATMs and in shop PIN terminals. The fraudster will get close enough to observe the PIN being typed in and then attempt to pick pocket the victim's card.

Help and further information:

Always make sure no one else can see you enter your PIN when typing it in. Keep your PINs safe and never record or store them in a manner which leaves them open to theft, such as in your purse or wallet.

Ensure that lost or stolen cards are reported immediately. If you need to report a lost or stolen Tesco Bank Credit Card please call:
0845 300 4278.

One of the easiest ways to steal someone's personal or financial information is through having access to their mail or garbage. This can lead to identity theft such as Account Takeover or Application Fraud.

Theft of mail can occur either within the postal system or from your letter box. Communal letter boxes at the main doors of flats are common targets for fraudsters. They are often relatively easy to gain access to because the locks are not always secure.

Fraudsters can also request Royal Mail redirections in your name to divert mail to a new address.

Finally, a fraudster may also have access to your mail at a previous address.

Help and further information:

Ensure that you shred any documentation that includes personal information such as name, address, date of birth, passwords, PINs and financial information.

If you suspect that you are not receiving mail contact the Royal Mail Customers Service Enquiry Line on 0845 774 0740 to check if a redirection has been placed in your name.

Always make sure you inform your bank whenever you move house and apply for a mail redirection with Royal Mail to give you time to update your address details elsewhere.

If you think that any of your financial mail has been lost or stolen then contact us or the bank that it relates to. Details of how to contact us can be found in our Contacts & links section.

Account Takeover

This form of identity theft involves fraudsters stealing enough information in order to successfully bypass security systems. This requires the fraudster to have access to your security and financial details. They will then either attempt to transfer money out of the account or order a new card.

Application Fraud

This is a form of identity theft where the fraudster applies for an account in your name. They will either use fake ID documents or have access to your mail in order to apply using your genuine address and intercept the mail.

Card Not Present (CNP) Fraud

CNP fraud is the most common type of fraud in the UK. Fraudsters use stolen Credit or Debit Card details to carry out transactions either online, by phone or fax, or through mail order.

Counterfeit Card or Skimming

This type of fraud typically happens by copying the cards magnetic strip on to another card. Historically, restaurants, supermarkets, petrol stations and ATMs were commonly used to carry out this method. However, the introduction of Chip and PIN has made this type of fraud much less common in recent years.

Lost or Stolen Cards

Since the introduction of Chip and PIN it has made it more difficult to commit fraud on a lost or stolen card without also having the PIN. Being vigilant when typing your PIN and ensuring that it's not recorded in an obvious manner will minimise the risk of a fraudster carrying out fraud on your card.

This fraud type involves the fraudster taking over your Online Banking account in order to transfer money out of it. The most common way for a fraudster to steal your Online Banking details is through phishing emails.

An increasingly common method for stealing your Online Banking details is through infecting your computer with malware. Once infected it can allow fraudsters to either take over your machine or record your key strokes.

Help and further information:

• Find out more about phishing and malware.

This fraud type involves the fraudster using the Telephone Banking facility to transfer money out of it.

The most common way for a fraudster to steal your Telephone Banking details is by telephoning you claiming to be from your bank and asking you the security & log in details which they need. Remember, we will never telephone and ask for all your personal information.