Protect Yourself from Phishing Scams

What is phishing?

Phishing is a type of cyberattack in which scammers impersonate a trustworthy source and use fraudulent emails, text messages, phone calls or website links to trick you into sharing your sensitive and personal information. The aim of phishing is to steal your confidential data such as passwords and bank account details for fraudulent purposes or to install malware on your devices to gain access to your devices.

At UBL UK, safeguarding your personal information is of utmost importance to us. Phishing is a significant online threat and remains a prevalent method among cybercriminals. You should always be wary of unsolicited emails, messages, or phone calls asking for sensitive information such as passwords, bank details, or personal identification. To help you identify and protect yourself from a phishing scam, we have listed key indicators to look out for.

How to recognise phishing?

Here are the common signs to look for:

Language

Scammers often use poor grammar and spelling.

·         Look for clear errors, misspelled information or inconsistent details, which could indicate fraudulent activity.

·         Look at their email address carefully, as scammers often use addresses that are similar to legitimate ones but with slight variations, such as extra characters, numbers, or misspelled domains. Always verify the sender's email before responding or clicking on any links.

Unexpected requests

Phishing scams often ask you to carry out an action urgently.

·         Be cautious of messages requesting personal or financial information.

·         Scammers seek to create a sense of urgency within their phishing scams using phrases such as “act now” or “reply now.”

·         This tactic is used in anticipation that you will make an immediate and uninformed decision.

Suspicious links or attachments

·         Scammers often include website links or attachments in their messages for you to click on or download. This is a method used by scammers to install malware and breach online security defences on your device.

How to protect yourself against phishing

Follow these steps to protect your personal information from phishing attacks.

1)    Verify the source: If you have received suspicious correspondence from the Bank and you suspect a phishing attempt, do not respond. We advise you to first verify the validity of the information and source by contacting UBL UK’s Customer Service Team.

2)    Do not disclose confidential information: If you suspect a Phishing attempt, we strongly advise not to disclose any sensitive or personal information such as passwords, PINs, or account information.

3)    Avoid engagement: Refrain from clicking on links or opening attachments within messages where you have suspected a Phishing attempt. Instead, verify the source and information by visiting the official website or contacting the source to confirm the validity of the email or message.

4)    Reach out: Notify UBL UK immediately if you suspect you have fallen victim to a phishing scam.

5)    Report suspicion: If you have identified a phishing attempt, report your suspicion to the Police and Action Fraud.

If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, we strongly advise you to report it immediately to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040 for further assistance.