Banking securely through your cellphone

An ever-increasing number of people are choosing cellphone banking as their preferred method of banking. The reason is simply because cellphone banking offers consumers banking on the go - that is convenient, simple and safe banking at their finger tips.

With the festive season approaching, many people are planning on going on vacation and cellphone banking will be the ideal method of banking. For a peace of mind festive season, FNB advises its 2, 5 million registered Cellphone Banking users of the following security measures when using their mobiles for banking purposes:

Safety Tips for FNB Cellphone Banking

• Only the cellphone number that is registered can be used to access the service. 
• The main security feature of cellphone banking is the PIN. It is imperative that this PIN should not be a series of numbers in sequence i.e. 12345.
• NEVER store your PIN on your cellphone.
• NEVER disclose your cellphone banking PIN to anyone, including bank staff members. 
• The bank will NEVER ask you to divulge your cellphone banking PIN.
• Select a new cellphone banking PIN at regular intervals to decrease the risk of your PIN being compromised.
• Do not leave your cellphone unattended after you have entered your PIN.
• NEVER access the FNB.Mobi site via a link. Type the address into the browser address bar or save the address as a "Favourite".
• For security purposes, you have 3 attempts at entering in your PIN. Should you fail to log in after 3 attempts you would have to visit the nearest FNB Branch to reset your PIN.
• NEVER divulge you personal information to an SMS or email that requires you to do so.
• Register for inContact from FNB, a free instant SMS service that notifies you every time your card is swiped or when cash over R100 is withdrawn from your account.
• Save the FNB Cellphone Banking helpdesk number 0861 313 210 as a contact number on your cellphone. 
• If you suspect your safety has been compromised, contact the FNB Fraud Team on 011 632 2226 immediately or email risk.online@fnb.co.za

Smishing

Smishing is a new scam whereby customers could be tricked into exposing information via SMS. This is how it works:

• Fraudsters forward random SMS's and wait for a response.
• Customers are sent a text message requesting information promptly with an obscure threat.

Never reply to email or SMS that

• Threatens to close or suspend your account if you do not take immediate action by providing personal information. 
• States that your account has been compromised or that there has been third-party activity on your account, and requests you to enter or confirm your account information. 
• Asks you to enter your Cellphone Banking PIN, ATM PIN or account numbers into an email or non-secure web page. 
• Asks you to confirm, verify, or refresh your account, credit card, or address information. 

SIM Swaps

• SIM swaps are offered by a customer's network operator i.e. MTN, Cell C, Vodacom. Sim swap allows customers to use their original cellphone number should their SIM card get lost. 
• Should you no longer have access to your SIM card, contact your operator to make sure that a SIM swap has not been done on your number. 
• If a swap has occurred, contact FNB to ensure that your cellphone number is blocked on FNB's system. Reactivate your number once you are comfortable that you are no longer at risk.
• If you suspect that your security has been compromised, contact FNB's Fraud Team immediately on 011 632 2226 or email risk.online@fnb.co.za

Change of details

Update your cellphone number and Cellphone Banking profile frequently at your nearest FNB Branch or via the Cellphone Banking Help Desk by contacting 0861 313 210.
For your safety, you will need to first go through a verification process before any of your details can be updated.
FNB Cellphone Banking urges its customers to take every precaution in protecting themselves.