There is an increasing amount of identity theft which I am seeing on customer PCs.  To combat this I have put together a list of dos and don’ts so that you can protect yourself from current threats and keep aware of the basic protection methods.

Firstly, ensure that your antivirus and antimalware scans are running regularly. There best way to do this is to know what antivirus programs you have and know how to update them and then initiate a scan.

There seems to be a huge increase in fake bank emails and telephone calls at present, so please follow these simple rules:

• Never reply to an email from your bank asking you to update your details – this is always a scam.
• Never speak to a person over the telephone about your account if they phone you, no matter how convincing. Always ensure that YOU telephone your bank on a known number before giving any details.
• Never give out your credit card PIN number (the one you tap into the cash machine) either online or by telephone.
• Always logout of any online banking session.
• Never use a public PC, eg in a library/hotel/cafe, to access online accounts.

If you have had an account compromised or a Trojan program was found on your computer, follow our “Identity theft – what to do when you are a victim” tutorial and guide.