News and alerts
22 April 2010
Security Information
We've been made aware of a Trojan that could ask you to re-sync your Card Reader in an attempt to access your account. Please be aware that Nationwide will never ask you to re-sync your Card Reader. If you're asked to do this while using our Internet Bank, your PC has been infected by a Trojan.
If this has happened to you, please follow the steps below:
- Run one of these anti-virus scans. Choose a different scan to your normal anti-virus software to make sure the Trojan is found (if you have the Trojan it's likely it has not been found by your existing anti-virus software)
- Once you have removed the Trojan you must sign on to the Internet Bank again and change all three items of memorable data and your six digit passnumber
- Visit our security site to find out more about keeping your details safe
09 March 2010
Phishing
- Nationwide will never send an e-mail requesting you to disclose or confirm security details
- E-mails from Nationwide will always display your postcode at the top and bottom of the e-mail
View examples of fraudulent e-mails
What to do if you have responded to a suspicious e-mail
More information on phishing
More information on Nationwide's e-mail policy
15 January 2010
Unofficial ‘apps’
Nationwide doesn’t support the use of any Nationwide branded ‘apps’ on any devices (apps generally run on Apple, Nokia, Google, Android and BlackBerry devices). We’re unaware of any unofficial apps that actually work with our Internet Bank so purchasing one could prove to be a waste of your money.
We strongly advise against the use of any unsupported apps to access Internet Banking, using them means you could be at risk of having your sign-on information harvested for fraudulent use, leaving you vulnerable to unauthorised transactions on your account.
9 July 2009
Latest Internet Security Advice
The introduction of Card Reader Security in 2008 has resulted in a massive reduction in online fraud, but online fraud attempts are becoming more sophisticated. If your PC becomes infected with a virus or Trojan, any personal information could be captured and passed on to fraudsters via the Internet, leaving you at risk of fraud or identity theft. Have a look at the information below to make sure you minimise that risk.
- At the top of the screen when you sign on to the Internet Bank check the last sign on date and time – if you're ever unsure that this time is correct change your sign on details immediately (using the My Details area of the Internet Bank, you'll need your Card Reader to do this)
- Have you ever been asked to give us extra information when signing on to the Internet Bank? (such as the full 6 digits of your passnumber, address, date of birth or mothers maiden name). If you have, your PC has been infected by a Trojan and you should follow these instructions:
- Run one of these anti-virus scanners. Choose a different scan to your normal anti-virus software to make sure the Trojan is found (if you have the Trojan it's likely it has not been found by your existing anti-virus software)
- Once you have removed the Trojan you must sign on to the Internet Bank again and change all three items of memorable data and your six digit Passnumber
- Once you've completed these steps, if you are still concerned about the security of your accounts you should contact us on 08457 30 20 10.
- Have you ever received a security warning from someone other than your own anti-virus supplier? This may have asked you to download something to 'clean' your PC. This is also a sign your PC may be infected with a virus or Trojan and you should run an anti-virus scan from someone other than your own software supplier. Visit our list of virus scanners and follow the instructions.
- If you regularly use social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook, make sure you're careful about the information that you post on there (for example, you shouldn't give your full address or date of birth). Be wary of accepting friend requests or joining groups when you're not certain you know who has invited you. This can be a way of a fraudster infecting your PC with a virus or Trojan.
- When was the last time you ran a full anti-virus scan or updated your software? You should look to do this at least weekly and your software provider will be able to give you instructions
- Have you set Windows to automatically update with all the latest patches? If not, visit Windows update and set your PC to receive the updates automatically.
To find out more about keeping your PC and personal information secure, please visit our Security Centre
8 June 2009
SMS Phishing Scam
Nationwide has been made aware that mobile phone users, including Nationwide customers, may receive SMS (text) messages on their mobile phones, advising you that your details are on a website and that you should visit the site to check them. Doing this could cause a Trojan to be loaded onto your PC.
One website address which has been used is PERSDATA7.COM (do not under any circumstances visit this site) and there are many other similar sites.
If you receive an SMS like this you should delete it immediately and not visit the website.
If you've already visited any sites like this, you should to go to the Security section of the Nationwide web-site and run one of the free anti-virus scans to ensure your PC is clean.
You shouldn't use your PC for Internet banking or making online purchases until you've ensured your PC is clean.
Law Enforcement Agencies are aware of these sites and are taking steps to close them down.
18 February 2009
Latest Scam
When you sign on to our Internet Bank you'll be asked for your Customer number, an item of your memorable data and 3 random digits of your Passnumber. We're aware some of our customers are being asked to provide their full Passnumber, mothers maiden name, date of birth or address details when they're signing on. Nationwide will never ask you for this, if you've been asked for this information it's likely your PC has been infected with a Trojan which could alter the sign on page.
These are examples of what the sign on page may look like if you've been infected with a Trojan:
There's an extra field asking you for the full six digits of your passnumber (highlighted in the red circle above). Entering this information means a fraudster has all the information needed to sign on to the Internet Bank as you, and carry out fraudulent transactions.
If this has happened to you, you must take the following steps immediately:
- Run one of the anti-virus scans. Choose a different scan to your normal anti-virus software to make sure the Trojan is found (if you have the Trojan it's likely it has not been found by your existing anti-virus software)
- Once you have removed the Trojan you must sign on to the Internet Bank again and change all three items of memorable data and your six digit Passnumber
Once you've completed these steps, if you are still concerned about the security of your accounts you should contact us on 08457 30 20 10.
03 June 2008
Job Scams
Fraudsters send unsolicited e-mails or place job offers on legitimate Internet recruitment sites looking to recruit 'money transfer agents' with UK bank accounts. These bogus companies offer part-time employment as an agent receiving payments for goods which the company claims to be supplying, and then passing a proportion of the payment on to the company via a money transfer company such as Western Union.
These job offers are false. Any person who agrees to act as an agent is actually receiving stolen funds into their account. The final destination of the funds will be an organised crime syndicate, generally overseas.
Any Member who suffers financial loss as a result of acting as an "agent" for any of these organisations will not be eligible for any form of refund from Nationwide and we could close any account involved in this scam.
Info sites
These sites contain industry information on banking online safely and avoiding fraud and identity theft, as well as where to find out information on the latest viruses and trojans. None of these sites or vendors are specifically endorsed or recommended by Nationwide Building Society.
- www.banksafeonline.org.uk
- www.identitytheft.org.uk
- www.ukpayments.org.uk/
- www.getsafeonline.org
- www.cardwatch.org.uk