If there’s one word we want to be associated with Hodge, it’s trust. Whether it’s the team picking up the phone when you call, or those behind the scenes making sure our systems are working safely and smoothly, we’re all doing our bit to earn and keep your trust.
So, when a recent customer survey told us 94% of you trust us with your savings and mortgages, we were over the moon. Words and phrases like trustworthy, honest, open, reliable and keep their promises came up a lot and for us, that means everything.
But we wanted to know what else we can do to help you feel safe?
One big thing that stood out was you wanting to feel protected from fraud and scams. It was one of the reasons we created our fraud and scams hub, packed with tools and services to support you. But to make things that bit easier, here are 10 simple tips which can help you stay safe when banking online:
Ten online banking safety tips
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1. Set up two-factor authentication
This is an easy and effective way to keep your online banking account secure. It adds an extra layer of protection as even if someone has your password they won't be able to log in without a second form of ID. Hodge's online banking uses two-factor authentication to keep your account safe every time you log in.
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2. Use strong, unique passwords
Think ‘passphrase’ rather than password when online- the ‘three words’ rule is quite effective. It's where you put three words together to give you a strong password that's harder to guess. Avoid using anything too obvious, don't reuse passwords across accounts, and never share them. If you struggle to keep track, you could try a trusted password manager.
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3. Turn on real-time notifications
Instant alerts help you spot unusual activity as soon as it happens. So having real-time notifications on will mean you'd be able to spot things like a new login, a change to your account or a transaction you didn't make, immediately. With Hodge online banking, you'll get notifications when something changes on your account, giving you extra peace of mind.
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4. Only use secure Wi-Fi networks for internet banking
Avoid logging into your online banking on public Wi-Fi if you can. Use a secure, private internet connection or switch to mobile data to reduce the risk of someone snooping on what you're doing.
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5. Don't share your personal information
Be careful about what you post online. Oversharing personal information can help fraudsters piece together bits of information about you. Be careful what you post on social media or online forms - having access to your full name, birthday, address or anything else sensitive, can make it a lot easier for them to use your details.
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6. Shred old credit cards and statements
Shred old bank statements cut up expired bank cards and delete old documents with sensitive information in. By keeping your accounts tidy, you can stop fraudsters finding personal information or using old details for ID theft.
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7. Keep an eye on your accounts regularly
Make a habit of logging in and checking for anything unusual if something doesn't look right, flag it immediately. With Hodge, you can see all your savings accounts in one place so it's easy to keep track of everything at a glance.
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8. Keep your software up to date
Those annoying software update reminders can contain vital security fixes to protect your devices from hackers and viruses. So, as tempting as it is, you may not want to skip them - antivirus software updates can be worth those couple of minutes.
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9. Know the red flags of fraud
If someone calls or emails claiming to be your bank, always be cautious, even if they sound convincing. Some banks have an in-app call verification with mobile banking to prove they're genuine. If you’re a Hodge customer, know that we’ll never call, text, or email asking you for personal or security details, or asking you to move money between accounts.
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10. Know what to do
Fraud can happen to anyone, and scammers are getting smarter. From online shopping, phishing scams, identity theft and other suspicious activity, it's always good to be aware if something doesn't feel right. The 'Take Five to Stop Fraud' national campaign suggests three key steps:
Five to Stop Fraud
Stop. Challenge. Protect.
1. Stop – take a moment before you act. Scammers often pressure their victims into acting quickly, before they get a chance to stop and think about what they’re being asked to do.
2. Challenge – does the request feel genuine? Your bank will never rush you into handing over sensitive information or transferring money. Always hang up or say no to making any decision or giving away information, until you’ve done your own research.
3. Protect – if you think you’ve been scammed, report it to your bank and Action Fraud straight away. We’ll never ask for personal information over the phone, by text or by email.
Useful resources
We’re here to help if something doesn’t feel right.
- Find out more about the signs of fraud on our being aware page.
- Click here to learn more about Five to Stop Fraud and you can take the Five to Stop Fraud quiz to see how scam-savvy you are.
- You can also contact our fraud team if you have any concerns.
Things Hodge will never ask you to do
We’ll never call, email or text and:
- ask for your PIN, expiry date, or security code (CVV)
- ask you to transfer money to another account
- ask for account login details, like your username, memorable details or password
- ask for your personal security number (PSN) for telephone banking.
Is online banking safe?
Yes! As long as you take a few basic steps, it’s a secure reliable way to manage your money and we’ve got a range of tools in place to protect your personal information and funds.
We’re all dealing with money online everyday- when we’re shopping, bank transfers, on our mobile phones , using PayPal or other forms of digital banking. And banks are always working to keep you safe online.
If you’re still unsure check out our ‘online banking page’ or our ‘keeping safe’ hub, where there’s lots more information and resources at your fingertips.
Start online banking with Hodge
Start your online banking journey with us in three simple steps and have your finances at your fingertips. Our simple registration process is quick and easy but if you have any questions, our team is here to help. They’ll help with safety checks and give you peace of mind about the security of your savings: Contact us.
This article is correct at the time of publishing and for general information purposes only. We recommend you speak to a professional financial adviser for advice. You can find a financial adviser and further personal finance information at unbiased.co.uk.