Fighting fraud - Keeping safe

Customers can help themselves from falling victim to fraud by following some simple step-by-step rules, the British Bankers' Association (BBA) said today.

New guidance published by the BBA today provides advice for bank staff and consumers on how best to avoid being a victim of fraud.

The BBA has been working with high street banks, the Serious Organised Crime Agency and Financial Fraud Action UK on the new factsheets. There are seven guides with the first offering bank staff help on how best to safeguard vulnerable customers. The six customers' fact sheets cover:

Common Fraud Schemes
2 tips to avoid being a victim of fraud
Protecting Yourself from Online Fraud
Protecting Yourself from Identity Fraud
Protecting Yourself from Payment Card Fraud
Protecting Yourself from Cheque Fraud

Richard Cook, Director, Fraud, from the BBA said: "Protecting customers remains a top priority for banks which is why we are providing advice for staff to help them help their customers. However, there is also much customers can do to help themselves from falling victim to crime. The British Bankers' Association has been working with our members and the police to set out some common sense steps everyone can take which helps reduce the risk from financial fraudsters. The fighting fraud fact sheets help highlight the kind of crimes we all can face and provide some simple crime prevention techniques. Financial crime may be invisible in its execution but it is just like any other kind of theft and our fact sheets set out some sensible precautions we can all take to help ourselves."

The factsheets are available here: bba.org.uk/fightingfraud