Online Security – Smishing, Phishing and Vishing

Because of HSBC's online security measures like password protection and advanced encryption technology, fraudsters will often choose to target you, the consumer.

Take smishing for example. Smishing is a fraudulent text message designed to trick you into handing over personal information including details of your bank account.

Here's how it works; you receive a text message claiming to be from HSBC. It may even appear alongside our official text messages or, instead of a link, it may include a phone number. Protecting yourself is simple, don't click, don't call, don't reply. If in doubt, stay safe and verify by calling us on the official HSBC number shown on your bankcard.

Remember HSBC will never ask for personal details via text message, text you a link that takes you directly to our login page or try to scare you into giving us your personal information.

Because of HSBC's online security measures like password protection and advanced encryption technology, fraudsters will often choose to target you, the consumer. One example of this is phishing.

Phishing is a fraudulent e-mail message designed to trick you into handing over personal information including details of your bank account.

Here's how it works; you receive an e-mail claiming to be from HSBC. It warns you that your account is at risk and requires you to click on a link. This link may look convincing, but hover over the link and it may display a different website address. Clicking the link will take you to a fake website that asks you to enter your details or it may automatically download a virus on to your computer, providing fraudsters direct access to your information.

Protecting yourself is simple, don't click, don't reply, report it. If in doubt, stay safe and verify by calling us on the official HSBC number shown on your bankcard or forward the e-mail.

Remember HSBC will never ask you for your personal information via e-mail, e-mail you a link that takes you directly to our login page or try to scare you into giving us your personal information.

Because of HSBC's online security measures like password protection and advanced encryption technology, fraudsters will often choose to target you, the consumer. One example of this is vishing.

Vishing is a phone call where a fraudster attempts to pressure you into carrying out money transactions, downloading software or providing security details over the phone.

Here's how it works; "hello". "hello, I'm calling from the account verification team. We have reason to believe that your account may have been compromised. We need to act quickly to ensure that your account is safe, are you free to do so now?" "um okay".

Protecting yourself is simple, hang up the phone. If in doubt, stay safe and call us on the official HSBC number shown on your bankcard. Remember HSBC will never ask for your PIN or password over the phone, try to scare you into providing information or ask you to transfer money to another account for safekeeping.