Tips for safe Internet Banking

How safe is internet banking?

Experts view on Internet banking right now is that it's not safe. To get to a reasonable level of security you need a good knowledge of computers. If you don't have that knowledge, you're probably better off waiting until the banks get their acts together. The way forward is for them to supply their own software that you install on your own machine and use for accessing your account. Only then will Internet banking be relatively safe for people without computer expertise.

Internet Banking is becoming popular with people because we feel it is the easy way to deal with

money and one can make his PC a live bank, doing all the things a bank can do without actually

visiting a bank. But very few of us are able to protect our accounts from fraud. So if you have a

bank account with any bank and use the Internet to make transactions, money transfer or credit card

payments, here are some general 'safe-banking' tips that you might do well to follow:

• Never use unprotected PCs at cyber-cafes for Internet banking.

• Never keep your PIN and credit/debit card(s) together.

• Never leave the PC unattended when on Internet banking in a public place.

• Never reply to e-mails asking for your password or PIN.

• Visit banks' website by typing the URL in to the address bar, and not by clicking a link in

an e-mail arrived in your inbox.

• Before using Internet banking, verify the domain name displayed to avoid spoof websites.

• Log off and close your browser when you have finished using Internet banking.

• Never let a stranger assist you at the ATM. Protect your ATM card PIN.

• Count the cash and put it in your wallet before leaving the ATM.

• Check your monthly credit/debit card statement for unusual activity.

• Always draw a line through unused space on the cheque.

• Never leave your cheque book unattended.

• Never sign blank cheques.

• Never keep pre-signed cheques anywhere.

• Never hand over to unknown persons any signed blank cheques towards pre-EMI/EMI amount, for

opening of saving account or opening of any other accounts.

• Remember to cross your cheque whenever applicable.

• Count the number of cheque leaves whenever you receive a new cheque book.