Security and fraud

With so many online platforms and services using password protection, it can be very easy to fall into the habit of using one easy-to-remember password across multiple platforms.

However, one of the most important steps in protecting yourself from online fraud is using unique, complex and secure passwords.

• Aim for 12 characters
• Include a mixture of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols
• Don’t use personal information
  Passwords based on things like your birthday or pets names are far easier to crack than passwords based on random selections of numbers and letters
• Make passwords complex
  Replace letters with special characters and use words and phrases you have no obvious connection with.
• Use a password checker
  Run it through a secure online checker and find out how many years it would take to crack.
• Don’t reuse passwords
  Use unique passwords for all your online accounts. Using one password for multiple accounts leaves you open to multiple breaches if one gets compromised.
• Never share your password
  This goes without saying, but never share your passwords, don’t write them down, and change them regularly.

If you have any concerns that your password has been hacked, change it straight away.

We will never ask for your password, and you should never share it with us

Here are some simple tips for maintaining computer, mobile and tablet security.

1. Make sure you have active anti-virus software on your devices and update your software and applications on a regular basis.
2. Protect your home Wi-Fi with a secure password.
3. Don’t tick the ‘Remember me’ option when using a computer, tablet or mobile device which isn’t yours, and always log out of a device when you’ve finished using it.
4. Where possible, avoid connecting to public networks and use mobile data rather than public Wi-Fi. If you have to connect to a public network make sure it’s one you trust, and check your surroundings before logging into secure sites.
5. Don’t click on suspicious links or popups, even if they’re promises of prizes or are phrased with urgency.
6. Be selective with your security questions/secret answers and avoid using questions where the answer could be easily found online (your university or mother’s maiden name, for example). Try and pick questions that only you know the answers to.
7. When visiting a website type the address directly into the search bar to make sure you’re going to the right place, or, if clicking on a link to a website following a web search, be on the lookout for these signs:
   • Invalid security certificates.
   • A discrepancy in the URL, e.g. slightly different spellings, characters and punctuation.
   • 'https://' (a sign of page security) being missing from the URL when you look at, or hover your cursor over, a link.
   • A locked padlock symbol in the address bar.

We receive dozens of emails every day, but before you engage with one it’s important to verify that it’s from a legitimate source.

When receiving an email from Foremost Currency Group there are a couple of things you can check to make sure it’s a genuine communication.

If you’re in any doubt about whether an email is from us contact your currency expert or email [email protected].

What should you look out for?

• That the email is in our company colours and includes our logo.
• That you haven’t received two emails in quick succession asking you to do different things.
• If the communication is asking you to do something out of the ordinary or encouraging you to disclose personal information, like your password or bank details.
• If the communication has an unusual number of spelling or grammatical errors.
• If the tone of the email is unusually threatening or pushy.
• If the links within the email take you to unusual or unexpected places – hover over the links to check the URL before clicking them.
• If the senders email address ends in ‘@fcgworld.co.uk’ – the majority, but not all, of our emails end this way.
• If there are strange looking attachments or requests for you to download software.
• If you’re being offered a prize for a competition you don’t remember entering.
• Never click on email links or attachments if you aren’t sure that the email has come from a trusted source.

Protect yourself from fraudulent calls and texts by:

• Checking the caller ID – enter the number calling or texting you into a search engine to make sure it belongs to a real company before answering or responding.
• Add our main office line to your address book so you always know if it’s us calling you.
• If you ever receive a text message that appears to be from us but asks you to reply with a password, to call an unfamiliar number, or to click on a link, ignore it and contact your personal currency expert by phone or email.
• If you receive a call or text which makes you feel you need to take urgent action (i.e. warning you about suspicious activity on your account or pushing you to make a transfer quickly) put down the phone or ignore the text and get in touch with us directly

Our online service has a number of inbuilt features to protect your transactions.

• PIN entry – we’ll ask you to enter your PIN at crucial points in the transfer process (like adding a recipient or making a transfer).
• Transactional emails – we’ll send you an email confirming any transactions you make, so you’ll have a record of the latest activity on your account.
• Your activity – You can view your recent and historic activity within our online service.
• You can also check all the devices that have accessed your account.

• Reporting fraud
• Protecting yourself from fraud
• Fraud FAQs
• Scams to watch out for
• Help with fraud

Reporting fraud

If you notice something suspicious or think you may have been a victim of fraud, please let us know as soon as possible by contacting us on +44 (0) 1736 335 250 or [email protected].

Protecting yourself from fraud

We’re confident in the security systems we have in place but it’s vital that you stay vigilant too.

Our Fraud FAQs provide lots of useful information about protecting yourself from fraud, while our Help with fraud section has links to useful organisations.

Remember, an offer being too good to be true, being asked to send money out of the blue or being put under time pressure can all be warning signs. Never send a payment if you have any concerns and contact us immediately if you do – we’re here to help.

We can accept no responsibility for funds being sent to the wrong account based on the content of a fraudulent email, so always verify that any payment details sent or received by email are genuine, using a trusted source.

Fraud FAQs

I think I’m the victim of a scam in connection with my account. What do I do?

Contact us as soon as possible on +44 (0) 1736 335 250 or [email protected].

You can also report fraud to the police via Action Fraud using their on-line reporting tool or by calling 0300 123 2040.

If you’re not based in the UK, inform the police or anti-fraud authorities in your own country.

What can I do to protect myself against fraud?

1. Keep all your personal ID documents (passport etc.) locked away and secure. The details in these documents can be used to steal your identity. Be extremely careful about who you share your personal details with as they can be used to set up accounts in your name.
2. Never share answers to security questions or passwords with anyone and don’t write them down.
3. If you’re sending money to us or to anyone else, double-check the bank account details before making the payment. Do this by getting the details direct from a trusted source. You can access our bank details securely through our online service and app. Consider sending a small payment first to check that the money has gone to the correct account.
4. If you’re buying property or making an investment, check the validity of the property or investment opportunity. Be wary of glossy brochures, celebrity endorsements and big promises.
5. Visit the Take Five to Stop Fraud website and read their advice on protecting yourself from scams.

The above isn’t a full list but it gives you an idea of the type of questions you should be asking. You’ll find more on this in our Scams to watch out for section.

How do I spot someone trying to de-fraud me?

We’ve listed a range of red flags based on different transfer requirements in our Scams to watch out for section. It’s crucial that you take the time to check that your payment isn’t falling into the wrong hands.

Scams to watch out for

The red flags and warning signs to look out for can differ depending on the reason for your payment. Below are some of the main things to be wary of.

• Payments to friends, family, or someone you’re in a relationship with

  Instances of relationship fraud have increased enormously in recent years.

  Be particularly careful about sending money to someone you’ve never met in person, especially if you made contact via a dating app. Are they now asking for help with medical fees, housing or travel costs? Are they genuine?

  Also beware impersonation scams, where you’re asked to send money to a family member who’s in trouble. Always contact that relation independently to check that a fraudster hasn’t got hold of their phone or hacked their social media accounts.

• Making payment for goods or services

  Have you checked that the goods exist, and that the supplier is genuine?

  Be wary if you’re asked to pay a deposit or a big fee up-front as this could be an advance fee scam. Where possible, always check online reviews and get an invoice before paying anything.

  Have you met the supplier? Do they have a registered business address? Are the contact details given by the supplier vague (maybe just a PO Box and a mobile or premium number)? Always verify that the person or business you’re dealing with is legitimate before sending a payment.

• Paying estate agent or legal fees or some other bill

  Fraudsters can intercept payments and redirect money to their own accounts, often by sending out a false invoice or email featuring their own account details. Make sure that the account details you’re paying into are genuine and think about sending a small payment first to check that the money has gone to the right place. This type of fraud is a particular risk in the property and real estate sector.

• Funding an investment

  If an investment sounds too good to be true (high returns and low risk), it could turn out to be a scam.

  Be wary of dealing with any company that approaches you out of the blue and always check that the property or investment you’re buying exists.

  Is the broker willing to supply his/her copy ID? Does the company promoting the investment have a registered business address? Are the contact details vague (maybe just a PO Box and a mobile or premium number?) What do the online reviews say?

  Are you being put under pressure to buy? Always check the FCA Register to see if there are any warnings about the individual or company you’re dealing with and look at the FCA’s Warning List. Seek advice from an FCA regulated firm before going ahead.

Help with fraud

You can get additional help and advice on fraud from the following organisations:

Take Five

Action Fraud

Which?

National Cyber Security Centre

Metropolitan Police – fraud advice