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Online Security

Most of us have read about online fraud and identity theft. The Internet opens many new doors to us and offers us new opportunities, but it can also leave us open to criminals intent on exploiting this freedom. The information below will show you how to protect yourself and your family by improving security and privacy around any online activities.

In the offline world, you should already know about shredding old statements and any other documents containing personal information, destroying unused cards, or about checking ATM's (cash machines) carefully before using them. Online it is different. B&Q Financial Services can protect its own systems but we cannot protect yours. We can, however, help you to help protect yourself and we have prepared a brief overview on typical security risks and suggestions on how you can help overcome them.

These are aimed at ordinary PC users, not at experts. Please take the time to read the information we have provided.

Our brief overviews provide guidance of a general nature only and may not always reflect the latest developments in a rapidly changing industry. If you require more detailed advice on the topics, please contact a specialist provider.

Spoofing & Phishing Information

Phishing is an increasing trend whereby fraudsters send emails that appear to be from your finance provider asking you to confirm personal details.

B&Q Financial Services will never email a request for personal information.

Spoofing is an increasing trend where an email is received and is trying to trick the recipient into revealing passwords or other information, or to send money for some worthy cause. These emails are very rarely genuine and should be deleted and not responded to. Such email methods may also be used to introduce a virus into your home PC. It is important that you do not access any links or attachments from such emails.

Firewalls

A firewall is a programme that is installed to block unwanted traffic between your PC and the Internet. Once installed, if you run a programme which requires the internet, it will ask for your permission to continue. If it is a programme which you use frequently (e.g. Outlook Express) you can grant permission and tell it not to ask you again. If a programme asks to use the Internet for no obvious reason, you can find out why, and if in doubt, say no. A firewall will help protect both you and your PC. If everyone used a firewall, it would be harder to spread viruses. Even if you rarely use the Internet, we still recommend the use of a firewall.

Anti-Virus Software

You should install anti virus software onto your PC, as whenever you access the Internet you could potentially expose your PC to risk of infection from viruses. Often these may arrive as email attachments or from websites to which fraudulent emails 'link'. The software is only effective if it recognises the virus threats. This is why 'new virus definition files' need to be downloaded regularly from the Internet. Your program's 'help file' will explain how to do this. Some can be set to auto-update. This is recommended.

Viruses can be irritating; others are dangerous and exploit one of a number of vulnerabilities within the PC. This is why it is important to make sure your PC is protected by ensuring you download the regular updates for your operating system e.g. Windows. Once installed, anti-virus software protects you and your PC, but you must update the virus definition files to make it work properly. There are some very effective software products available free of charge. Never run two anti-virus programs at once - they do not double your protection and they can often get in each others way.

Anti-Spyware software

Spyware is a general term for hidden programs on your PC that track what you are doing on the Internet. They gather data that is subsequently aggregated and sold to those interested in how the Internet is used. Spyware is not necessarily a bad thing and can lead designers to build websites better attuned to customer preferences, however, it can be an invasion of your privacy - it can also be an invasion of your PC's resources. In certain instances, spyware can be dangerous. Some illegal spyware (also called malware) is deliberately designed to extract personal details from your PC. Typically, this may be found on PCs that are or have been unprotected by anti-virus software, firewalls, or patches. There are specialist programs available, which can be downloaded, and are designed to identify and remove such potential threats. Like an anti-virus program it also needs to be regularly updated in order to recognise the latest threats.

If you are running Windows XP then Microsoft's own anti-spyware program is available from the Microsoft website. If you are running Windows 98 or any other operating system there are two free anti-spyware programs available - It is recommended that more than one anti-spyware program be installed in order to keep your PC free of Spyware.

Cookies

A cookie is a string of information that your browser stores on your computer. B&Q Financial Services uses cookies for two reasons. Firstly to analyse advertising effectiveness and manage browsing patterns within the site. Secondly session cookies are used to manage the application process. These cookies are deleted when the browser is closed. Both types of cookies are anonymous, i.e. they contain no personal information. Most browsers allow you to turn off the cookie function but should you decide to do this you will be unable to complete an application, and Servicing functionality of the site may be limited as a result.

You can find out more on how cookies work on www.allaboutcookies.org*

Identity Fraud - What is it?

Identity theft occurs when an individuals personal information (such as the name, date of birth, current address or previous addresses) is used by someone else without their knowledge or consent to obtain loans, credit cards, mortgages or goods and services in a fraudulent manner. Fraudsters can also use personal details to access bank accounts, run up bills, launder money, create false documents such as passports or birth certificates and carry out benefit fraud.

How many people in the UK are affected?

Identity Fraud is the fastest growing type of card fraud in the UK. The cost to the UK economy now exceeds £1.3 billion per year, with 120,000 cases. Furthermore, with the increased security offered by Chip & Pin, (actually leading to a fall in traditional credit card fraud in the first six months of 2005), fraudsters are looking at alternative ways to commit crimes. Research shows that 83% of the public are aware of ID theft and of those 90% are concerned about it. (You Gov omnibus survey 04)

How can I help prevent it?

If you move house, tell your bank, card issuer and all other organisations that you deal with immediately. Ask the Royal Mail to redirect any mail from your old address to your new one for at least a year.

Regularly obtain a copy of your personal credit file from one of the three credit reference agencies to see which financial organisations have accessed your details. It is particularly helpful to check your personal credit file 2-3 months after you have moved house. Details of these agencies can be obtained from the following websites*:

Destroy any document showing your name, address or other details before discarding. This can be easily done using paper shredders, which are widely and easily available. This includes documents such as bank statements, utility bills, pre-filled application forms, debit or credit card transaction receipts, even envelopes or a letterhead showing an address. These are all potentially useful to a fraudster who wouldn't think twice about rifling through your rubbish or employing people to do this.

Check your bank / credit card statements promptly. Report any transactions you don't recognise to the card issuer, even if they are only for small amounts.

Keep an eye on your bills and statements and a note of when they should arrive. Fraudsters have been known to take over their victims' bank accounts and change addresses. If your statements don't arrive, inform the organisation concerned.

What are the warning signs?
  • You receive bills, invoices, or receipts addressed to you for goods or services you've not ordered, or letters to you from solicitors or debt collection agencies relating to debts that aren't yours
  • You receive confirmation letters or statements for accounts in your name you have never opened
  • There are transactions (normally debits) on your account statements that you don't recognise
  • Important identity documents have gone missing or been stolen - such as your passport, driving licence, utility bills or bank statements
  • New accounts appearing on your credit file/report that you or others who live at your address do not recognise
  • Searches on your credit file/report that do not relate to an application made by you or others who live at your address
  • You apply for benefits and are told you are already claiming, when you are not
  • You have a good credit history but are turned down because of a default on your record
What shall I do if it happens?

It is important that you act promptly and if you hold a B&Q Account Card call 0845 603 0564 and also notify all your credit providers straight away. It is also important to report it as a crime to the police and request a crime number. Industry body CIFAS, The UK's Fraud Prevention Service advises victims to keep a record of everything, as recovering from identity theft can be a long and complicated process. CIFAS also advises all letters should be sent by recorded or special delivery and for people to keep track of how much time they spend dealing with the problem. Victims of identity fraud or people who are concerned they could become a victim because they have had important documents stolen, can apply for extra protection through CIFAS' Protective Registration Service. This costs £11.75 and places a warning on credit files. This should ensure that if anyone applies for credit under your name, further identity checks are made.

More Information

You can obtain more information from the following websites*:

http://www.cifas.org.uk/default.asp?edit_id=561-56 - CIFAS - , The UK's Fraud Prevention Service. This is an industry body supported by major lenders in the UK credit industry. CIFAS is a not for profit membership association solely dedicated to the prevention of financial crime.

http://www.identity-theft.org.uk - Useful Tips and weblinks are available at this Home Office Government Website.

 

* No endorsement or approval of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressed or implied by any information on this site or by any hyperlinks to or from any third party websites or pages.