Protect Yourself Against Fraud and Theft

At HSBC, we take fraud very seriously and we use market-leading detection systems in our efforts to prevent it. Read on for tips to help you avoid becoming a victim of fraud or identity theft.

Note that these are supplemental to the terms and conditions governing your relationships with HSBC, with which you must comply.

Personal Identification Numbers (PINS)

Memorise your PIN and any other security details. Never write them down or disclose them to anyone.

Destroy your PIN advice as soon as possible.

Choose a number that cannot be associated with you and and isn't in an obvious sequence, eg 1234 or 1111. Ideally, you should use a random combination or a sequence of numbers that are significant to you.

At the cash machine

Fraudsters may attempt to fit devices to the front of cash machines, with the aim of stealing your card or capturing information from its magnetic strip. If you notice anything unusual about a cash machine, do not use it. Instead, call our Customer Service Centre at (202) 19007 (within Egypt) or (202) 3535 9100 (from outside Egypt)

Always stand close to the cash machine and use your hand to shield the number buttons so that nobody can see your PIN as you enter it.

If the cash machine does not return your card when you expect it, advise our Customer Service Centre (202) 19007 (within Egypt) or (202) 3535 9100 (from outside Egypt) immediately.

Beware of any assistance offered by other people waiting to use the machine and do not re-enter the PIN if this is suggested by them.

Protect your card

Sign your card as soon as you receive it and keep it in a safe place.

Contact us if your replacement card does not arrive a week before your old one expires.

Save our Customer Service Centre telephone number (202) 19007 (within Egypt) or (202) 3535 9100 (from outside Egypt) in your phone memory in case you need to report a lost or stolen card.

Using your card when shopping

Occasionally, the retailer may be required to ask you some security questions. We do this to ensure that it is the cardholder who is making the transaction.

Never give criminals the opportunity to steal your cards by leaving your bags or wallets unattended.

Ensure that only one sales slip is presented to you for each transaction and that the total amount to be charged is completed.

Make sure that your card is returned to you promptly after use.

If you encounter any problems when using your card, call our Customer Service Centre (202) 19007 (within Egypt) or (202) 3535 9100 (from outside Egypt).

Shopping by telephone

Never reveal your PIN over the telephone, no matter who is asking.

Ask the retailer to confirm the full price being charged to your card, including booking fees or delivery charges.

Raise any discrepancies directly with the retailer. If there are any payment issues that you cannot resolve, contact our Customer Service Centre (202) 19007 (within Egypt) or (202) 3535 9100 (from outside Egypt).

Shopping over the internet

Only shop on secure websites. A secure site will display a locked padlock or a broken key symbol in your browser's toolbar when you are requested to enter your card details.

When shopping online, print a copy of your order confirmation in case of a future query.

Reputable websites will usually provide a postal address and telephone number for customer contact.

Using the internet generally

Install anti-virus and anti-spyware software on your computer and make sure you have the latest security patches for your operating system.

HSBC is the sponsor of the 'Get Safe Online' initiative www.getsafeonline.org which offers useful information about using websites safely. It also provides links to sites where you can download free security software.

Passwords

Don't use the same password for different services or websites. This is especially important with passwords that you use to access financial information or to bank online.

Do not be tempted to use passwords that can be easily guessed, such as children's names or birth dates.

Never write down your passwords; if you have no alternative, record them in a way that cannot be understood by anybody else.

Fraudulent e-mails

Fraudulent e-mails take a variety of forms. They may appear to come from the bank and ask you to re-enter your Internet Banking password or other personal/financial information.

We will never do this.

Do not respond to these e-mails. Their purpose is to obtain enough information about you, to enable fraudsters to access your money/account(s). They should simply be deleted

If you have any concerns about an e-mail that appears to have been sent by HSBC, please forward this mail to InternetAbuseEG@hsbc.com or contact our Customer Service Centre (202) 19007 (within Egypt) or (202) 3535 9100 (from outside Egypt) before taking any further action.

If you suspect that you have been tricked into revealing your security details, call the Customer Service Centre (202) 19007 (within Egypt) or (202) 3535 9100 (from outside Egypt) immediately.

E-mail is also used for other fraud attempts. In particular, exercise extreme caution if you receive an e-mail from a person that you do not know, offering you a share of a large amount of money in return for your assistance, or if it advises that you have won a prize in a lottery that you have not even entered.

Identity Theft

Criminals use a variety of methods - including raiding dustbins - for discarded credit card slips and bank statements, in order to obtain important personal data such as your name, address, credit card numbers, expiry dates, dates of birth or maiden names. This information can be used to impersonate you and gain access to your bank accounts, or to open new credit facilities in your name.

Take the following steps to protect yourself:

Check bank and credit card statements carefully

Shred all receipts and any letters that contain your name and address or other personal information

If you have not already done so, call our Customer Service Centre (202) 19007 (within Egypt) or (202) 3535 9100 (from outside Egypt) or visit your nearest branch to set up your telephone PIN number. This enables us to identify you when you call

Don't give your telephone security number or PIN to anyone who contacts you, even if they claim to be from HSBC or the police. Please note that HBSC will never ask for your telephone security number or PIN when contacting you

Letting other people use your account

Do not allow anyone else to use your card, PIN, password or to have any security information relating to your accounts.

Fraudsters sometimes claim that they have no cash at the time of conducting a financial transaction, so they will offer to give you a cheque to deposit into your account and in exchange, ask you to withdraw cash for them. They may also apply pressure on you to withdraw the cash urgently. This may be a direct approach from an acquaintance or as a result of you posting something for sale - especially on the internet. The fraudster sometimes offers to issue a cheque for an amount greater than the sale price of the purchased item, if you agree to return the difference to them or pass it to someone else in an attempt to assure you of their goodwill. HSBC will not be aware of the surrounding circumstances and may allow the withdrawal to go ahead at your request, but you will be liable for those funds if the transaction is fraudulent.

Fraudsters also place legitimate-looking job adverts for people with bank accounts to receive funds, and occasionally goods, on behalf of companies abroad. Anyone applying for such jobs would be asked to provide their bank details. Once the money has been paid into their account, they are instructed to pass it on as cash, minus a commission. These funds are actually the proceeds of crime.

Investment scams

These can come in many forms, however there are a number of common factors you should look out for:

The original contact (letter, telephone or e-mail) is unsolicited (you did not request it)

They always offer unrealistically high returns for apparently 'low risk' investments

You will be unable to obtain independent evidence of the validity of the scheme.

There will be pressure to make quick decisions

You will be told to keep the approach confidential

The telephone numbers quoted will often be untraceable mobiles

Remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Security

If you are withdrawing large sums of cash either from our teller or from an HSBC ATM lobby, be aware that thieves sometimes follow and target customers who they believe may have large sums of cash. Wherever possible, try to transfer money electronically, or seek advice from bank staff on how money can be transferred securely without risk to yourself.