Tips to stay safe online

Follow our straightforward advice to avoid scammers and fraudsters. With these tips you can help protect your money and personal information.

Be savvy with your passwords

  • Long passwords are safer
  • Avoid common words or anything that can be easily found out. Don’t use your date of birth, family names, or nicknames
  • Use a mix of numbers, letters and special characters
  • Never use the same password for different accounts
  • Don’t share your passwords or write them down where they can be easily found
  • Get into a routine of changing your passwords fairly often

Think before you click

  • Be cautious before you open any attachments or links sent to you
  • Always check who sent an email or text
  • Fraudsters often send emails that look official and appear to be from well-known organisations (like HMRC or TV Licensing). Click to look at the email address – if it doesn’t look right it’s probably a scam
  • Be very suspicious of text messages that arrive out of the blue, even if they say they’re from a company that you recognise
  • Don’t click on anything that’s unexpected, suspicious or seems too good to be true
  • If you open a link, look carefully at the website before you click anything or give any personal information
  • Never send money to anyone you don’t know, no matter how urgent or important they tell you it is
  • Research any websites you’ve never bought from before. Look online for reviews and any evidence of problems for other customers

Keep your personal information safe

  • Keep all Tesco Bank security details secret (your username, security number, password and passcode). These details keep both your Online Banking account and your Mobile Banking App secure
  • Keep valuable documents like your passport and driving licence in a safe place
  • Shred letters and statements that include your name, address, date of birth, passwords, or account information
  • Check your statements regularly. If you don’t recognise certain transactions, report it to us immediately
  • Keep an eye on your credit rating, this can help you spot if your identity is being used by a fraudster to apply for accounts in your name. Credit agencies Experian, Equifax and TransUnion all offer credit reports - available for free

Be aware of your surroundings when accessing your accounts, especially at cash machines and on your phone). Make sure no one can see you enter your security details.

    Use mobile devices safely

    • Download software updates to stay up to date. Take care to only use the official app store for your device
    • Use the security features of your device to make it as secure as possible. Strong passwords, pattern lock and fingerprints are all good ways to do this
    • Don’t store passwords, logins, or PINs on any device
    • When you use public wi-fi, make sure it tells you that the connection is secure
    • Know what data is being collected by your apps and how it’s being used
    • Use two-factor user identification when available to give you extra protection

    Use computers safely

    • Never allow unknown people or companies remote access to your computer
    • Don’t sign up for a computer maintenance or warranty program that you don’t trust
    • If you get an unexpected pop-up, call, spam email or other urgent message about problems with your computer, be very suspicious. Don’t click on any links – doing this can allow access to your computer
    • Never share passwords or give control of your computer to anyone who contacts you on the phone, by text, or email
    • If you’re ever concerned about your computer, call your security software company using the number on their website, software packaging or a receipt. Never use phone numbers from pop-up alerts, emails or numbers that call you

    Take care on social media

    • Use a different password for each of your accounts
    • Be careful what you share, and never reveal sensitive info online e.g. your home address or bank account details
    • The more you post, the more information you reveal making it easier to have your identity stolen
    • Get familiar with the privacy settings and features of the social media channels you use
    • If you have social media apps on your phone, make sure you have password, pattern or fingerprint protection
    • If you’re using a shared or public computer, remember to log out when you’re done

    When shopping online

    1. Use a credit card to pay

    Purchases over £100 and up to £30,000 that are made with a credit card are protected under section 75 of the consumer credit act. So if a company goes bust, or you never get your goods, you could be able to claim your money back.

    2. Check a website is secure

    Does the website’s address start with 'https' and have a padlock symbol on your web browser? These usually show that the site is secure. If the padlock is broken the site isn’t safe for payments – don’t use it.

    By clicking on the padlock, you can check the site's certificate - this gives you information on who registered the site.

    3. Buy from stores you can trust

    Shop around for good prices from brand name stores. If you find a product is cheaper or only available on a site you haven’t heard of before, be cautious – is this too good to be true?

    Search for mentions or reviews of the site from other customers online. Check that the site has contact details. Scam websites usually don’t have the customer service info (phone number, address, social media) you’d expect to see.

    4. Track your orders

    Note the payment and delivery details, and the terms and conditions when you buy. Check that the amount on your card statement or taken from your account is correct. Keeping track of your order means you'll notice sooner if there are any issues, then you can act fast.

    5. Trust your instincts

    If you're not sure about a website, or have any suspicions at all, don't go ahead with the transaction. A professional-looking website isn't always a sign that it's safe, and if an offer looks too good to be true, it could be a scam.

    It’s really important you keep your security details secure. If you haven’t and fall victim to fraud, you could be liable for losses on your account.

      Don't forget

      We'll never contact you and ask for full passwords or security information.

      If you do receive a call from someone claiming to be from Tesco Bank and you're not sure it's us, hang up and call us back.