SBI, HDFC, ICICI, Axis, PNB, other bank customers: Keep your money safe in 2019 with these steps

Online banking frauds have become a trend recently. In 2018, several such cases were reported from across the country. The internet-based banking crimes have gone up along with the rise of the use of social media, online banking, e-mail and all kinds of apps for financial as well as non-financial transactions. The more we remain dependent on such apps, the more vulnerable we are to online cheating by frauds. Here are a few tips you should follow to keep your money protected in 2019:

Save yourself from WhatsApp fraud: Never open an unknown link sent to you on WhatsApp. Simply, delete such links, which may install a spy app on your smartphone and steal crucial data. Such apps, steal data and make you a potential victim of online banking fraud. 

ATM frauds

To avoid falling prey to frauds at ATMs, always check the card slot before inserting the debit cards. You will be able to find out if there is any skimmer implanted by frauds there. At ATMs that are not guarded properly, the cheats install skimming machines at ATMs that steal data of your card. Other than this, frauds also often install a small secret camera to steal the password. 

Safe mobile and desktop banking: 

On its official website, the State Bank of India, shares tips for safe mobile and desktop banking: 

1. Never open or install any flash player application from unknown sources.

2. Avoid downloading of apps from third-party app stores or links given in SMSs or emails. 

3. Verify app permission before installing any app.

4. Never grant administrative privilege to any application. 

5. If any app it asking for Admin privileges, immediately uninstall/delete it. 

6. Keep mobile OS updated.

7. Use mobile anti-virus software. 

8. You should never respond to any popup, email, SMS or phone call, no matter how appealing or official looking, seeking your personal information such as username, password(s), mobile number, ATM card details etc. Remember, such types of communications are always sent or create by fraudsters to trick you into giving up credentials. 

9. You should never use internet banking on a computer that is not free of malware (viruses, trojans). That mean, you should avoid doing online banking from public computers because they are often full of malware. 

10. Also, Never respond to messages like "You have won a lottery! Your card has been blocked! You've got a special bonus". Banks never ask customers to share their PIN/Password/MPIN/OTP. Such bogus calls or messages are usually a trap.