HSBC embraces national campaign to help local customers understand financial scams

HSBC in Guernsey and Jersey is taking part in a national campaign throughout this week designed to help people understand the growing problem of fraud and encourage them to 'take five' to get to grips with financial scams.

‘Take Five to Stop Fraud Week’ is part of a UK-wide campaign from Financial Fraud Action UK and the UK Government aimed at tackling fraud, and HSBC in the islands will be joining the campaign to highlight the importance of taking five minutes to think about how scammers might look to get access to their personal information.

Throughout the week, staff in branches across the islands will be available to talk to customers about the campaign, discuss some of the tactics commonly used by fraudsters, and explain how banks can help them spot potential scams. In particular, the campaign identifies three key points:

• A genuine bank or organisation will never contact you out of the blue to ask for your PIN, full password or to move money to another account. Only give out your personal or financial details to use a service that you have given your consent to, that you trust and that you are expecting to be contacted by.
• Don’t be tricked into giving a fraudster access to your personal or financial details. Never automatically click on a link in an unexpected email or text.
• Always question uninvited approaches in case it’s a scam. Instead, contact the company directly using a known email or phone number.

Commenting on the campaign, Peter Faulhaber, Head of Retail Distribution, Branch Network, HSBC Channel Islands and Isle of Man, said:

“Many people may already have an understanding of financial fraud - that they should never be asked for the PIN or that no-one should ever ask them for their full password, for example – but sometimes in the heat of the moment, it’s easy to forget this. This campaign is all about urging people to just take a few minutes to stop and consider whether you might have been targeted, or whether you’re vulnerable to fraudsters.

“Having conversations with customers about these issues is also really important in terms of helping them understand how banks can help them avoid difficult situations. Banks have an obligation to protect customers, so sometimes it might be necessary for a bank to ask customers about a transaction that appears unusual. It’s understandable that some customers may not want to be questioned in this way, but doing so can help avoid fraudulent attacks. It’s important that we explain that clearly.”