Keeping your money safe is very important to Coastline.
We know that the internet is a big part of our everyday lives but with the ever changing nature of security risks that comes with the online world, it is important to remain vigilant.
Here at Coastline we take your security seriously. We have a number of initiatives built into our practices and we've also developed some tips and further information below to help you stay safe online.
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Romance Scams
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The concept of romance or dating scams refers to individuals who fabricate false identities on dating apps, social media platforms, and online chatrooms with the intention of deceiving others and swindling their money. These scammers typically establish a sense of trust with their chosen victims before concocting a financial emergency that requires financial assistance. It is crucial to exercise caution when interacting with anyone online and refrain from sending money to individuals whom you have not met in person and have complete confidence in.
Educate yourself on effective measures to safeguard against falling victim to romance scams.
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How does it happen?
Identity thieves are ingenious when it comes to stealing data. Increasingly they use psychological triggers to create a sense of panic or alarm tricking people into giving away information. The anonymity of the internet and shift to non-face to face contact has created in many cases a false sense of consumer trust to believe everything they are sent or requested to action. For example:
- “Phishing” emails designed to appear to be from a legitimate source (such as a bank or government body) asking people to input or update personal information to a web site are used extensively by criminals to steal information.
- Similar emails can contain links that infect computers with software which can unobtrusively transmit data back to a central point for criminals to collect. This is referred to as Malware (malicious software).
- Data breaches can be a source of information for criminals to gather personal ID data.
- These breaches can occur at any organisation where personal information is collected, used and stored.
- Rogue or careless employees of these organisations can deliberately or unwittingly release sensitive information
- Physical theft of data and documents from business and private premises that fail to secure letterboxes.
- Unsecured social networking sites, false websites offering employment or other services and the offer of fake prizes in online competitions are some of the avenues used to harvest personal identity data.
- Brute force attacks can also expose personal data later used by criminals.
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All or a combination of the following steps can form useful information for customers who have fallen victim to Identity Crime
Change
Your passwords - On your email, social media accounts, online bank log-in, and computer/mobile device log-in. In some cases, you will also need to change your email address and close your old account.
Inform
Even if not all your accounts have been affected it is worth flagging the fact that you have been a victim of identity fraud to other
lenders, banks etc. so they can monitor your accounts more closely and ensure that the thieves do not gain access to these as well.Cancel
If you have had your wallet or purse stolen, or if your personal information has been compromised, contact your financial service and credit card providers immediately to cancel any cards.
Contact
Contact a credit reference agency and follow their suggested steps to resolve the situation and prevent it happening again. If you do discover transactions on statements or have loans or other financial products taken out in your name which you did not make, contact the provider immediately. Place an alert on your credit file to flag any future fraudulent attempts to obtain finance.
Report
Report the incident to the police. Report all lost or stolen documents, such as passports, driving licences, plastic cards to the
relevant organisation. You can also report the event online via https://www.cyber.gov.au/reportAct
If you have been a victim of identity theft, you may be eligible for a Victim’s Certificate. Some financial institutions following an
investigation into a complaint will provide consumers with a certificate advising the persons status as an innocent victim of ID theft.Consider
How was your information compromised? If you believe there has been a leak at a Telco, another financial institution or
government department of your details you can to lodge a privacy complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.Retain
Keep all documentary evidence of fraud. Take notes, keep copies and police reports, get confirmation of conversations and actions
in writing. Never send originals away in the mail – if documents are required by someone else, send photocopies.Prevent
Protect yourself moving forward. Take the necessary steps to mitigate future risk, be proactive in protecting your personal
information, moderate your online activity
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Identity Crime
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Identity crime is a term used to describe activities and related offences that take place using a false or fabricated identity; a manipulated identity or a stolen/assumed identity to facilitate the commission of a crime.
Identity crime includes:
- the theft of personal identity information and related financial information
- assuming another identity for fraudulent purposes
- producing false identities and financial documents to enable other crimes.
Find Out More
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How does it happen?
Identity thieves are ingenious when it comes to stealing data. Increasingly they use psychological triggers to create a sense of panic or alarm tricking people into giving away information. The anonymity of the internet and shift to non-face to face contact has created in many cases a false sense of consumer trust to believe everything they are sent or requested to action. For example:
- “Phishing” emails designed to appear to be from a legitimate source (such as a bank or government body) asking people to input or update personal information to a web site are used extensively by criminals to steal information.
- Similar emails can contain links that infect computers with software which can unobtrusively transmit data back to a central point for criminals to collect. This is referred to as Malware (malicious software).
- Data breaches can be a source of information for criminals to gather personal ID data.
- These breaches can occur at any organisation where personal information is collected, used and stored.
- Rogue or careless employees of these organisations can deliberately or unwittingly release sensitive information
- Physical theft of data and documents from business and private premises that fail to secure letterboxes.
- Unsecured social networking sites, false websites offering employment or other services and the offer of fake prizes in online competitions are some of the avenues used to harvest personal identity data.
- Brute force attacks can also expose personal data later used by criminals.
-
All or a combination of the following steps can form useful information for customers who have fallen victim to Identity Crime
Change
Your passwords - On your email, social media accounts, online bank log-in, and computer/mobile device log-in. In some cases, you will also need to change your email address and close your old account.
Inform
Even if not all your accounts have been affected it is worth flagging the fact that you have been a victim of identity fraud to other
lenders, banks etc. so they can monitor your accounts more closely and ensure that the thieves do not gain access to these as well.Cancel
If you have had your wallet or purse stolen, or if your personal information has been compromised, contact your financial service and credit card providers immediately to cancel any cards.
Contact
Contact a credit reference agency and follow their suggested steps to resolve the situation and prevent it happening again. If you do discover transactions on statements or have loans or other financial products taken out in your name which you did not make, contact the provider immediately. Place an alert on your credit file to flag any future fraudulent attempts to obtain finance.
Report
Report the incident to the police. Report all lost or stolen documents, such as passports, driving licences, plastic cards to the
relevant organisation. You can also report the event online via https://www.cyber.gov.au/reportAct
If you have been a victim of identity theft, you may be eligible for a Victim’s Certificate. Some financial institutions following an
investigation into a complaint will provide consumers with a certificate advising the persons status as an innocent victim of ID theft.Consider
How was your information compromised? If you believe there has been a leak at a Telco, another financial institution or
government department of your details you can to lodge a privacy complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.Retain
Keep all documentary evidence of fraud. Take notes, keep copies and police reports, get confirmation of conversations and actions
in writing. Never send originals away in the mail – if documents are required by someone else, send photocopies.Prevent
Protect yourself moving forward. Take the necessary steps to mitigate future risk, be proactive in protecting your personal
information, moderate your online activity
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Card Fraud
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Your Coastline Visa Debit and Credit Cards come with security features that help protect your information, however research suggests that card fraud is on the increase.
Card fraud occurs when valid card details are stolen and then used to make fraudulent payments over the internet, telephone, or by mail order.
To help protect against your credit card details being stolen, there are a few things you can do:
Find Out More
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Phishing
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Phishing is a method where criminals steal personal information such as login credentials, credit card information and passwords by sending fraudulent messages.
These messages will appear from what seems to be a legitimate business or organisation such as your bank or telecommunications provider and can be in the form of email, phone call or text message.
It doesn’t matter if you are an individual using email at home, or what type or size of business you are in, phishing affects everyone.
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