Protect personal information

By Itumeleng Mogaki for FNB
Johannesburg, 18 Aug 2005

First National Bank (FNB), during its annual ATM Security Week, has cautioned consumers to treat their personal information with the strictest confidentiality, as criminals can use it for fraudulent activity.

ATM Security Week is aimed at educating customers about ATM crime and highlighting tactics used by criminals to take advantage of unsuspecting individuals.

"Personal details, such as ID numbers and bank account details, should be revealed cautiously, as these could be used in identity theft - one of the fastest-growing crimes worldwide," says FNB banking solutions CEO Galia Durbach.

She says identity theft has occurred if someone`s personal information, usually an ID number or a signature, is used fraudulently by another to access a bank account and steal money from it; open new credit accounts; apply for loans; or commit other crimes using the victim`s identity.

"Identity theft can be committed by anyone who has access to your personal information - thieves, employees or co-workers, friends, family members and professional computer hackers in the case of 'phishing`," says Durbach.

She says anyone who has access to a consumer`s personal information is a threat. "By being careful with personal information, the opportunity for criminals to abuse this information is minimised."

Durbach lists ways fraudsters could acquire personal information:

* Stealing a purse or wallet - where most people keep their personal information.
* Persuading people to enter personal information onto a Web site - 'phising`.
* Gaining a PIN while a customer uses an ATM.
* Making a card impression when a customer makes a credit card payment.
* Finding unshredded bank statements, bills and other personal documents in the dustbin.