SBS Security

A bank will never ring you and ask you to provide your internet banking password or personal identification numbers (PIN’s).  If you get such a call, phone us on 0800 727 2265 immediately to report it.

Never tell anyone your login details, PIN, passwords or verification codes – not the police, bank staff, friends or family.
From time to time, we may call and ask a series of questions to identify you before we discuss your accounts with you.  If you are ever concerned about these calls, please phone our Contact Centre on 0800 727 2265.

Likewise, when you phone us, we will ask you for a verbal passphrase and/or a series of questions to identify you.  Please note that your verbal passphrase should not be the same as your internet banking password.

Check your statements.  Advise your bank immediately of any unauthorised transactions and if you suspect you’ve been taken in by a scam, contact us as soon as possible.

How we protect your information

SBS Bank takes the security of your personal information very seriously. All stored customer information is protected from unauthorised access through the use of passwords, user log-ons and other security procedures. We will only disclose your personal information to third parties in line with the Privacy Statement in our General Terms and Conditions, or if you have otherwise authorised us to do so. For further details on how SBS Bank collects, uses and discloses your personal information, please refer to SBS Bank General Terms and Conditions.

Online Banking Security 

If your internet banking password is entered incorrectly three times, access to the service will be blocked. This prevents anyone making multiple attempts to guess your password. You can reset your password by calling us on 0800 727 2265. If your internet banking is idle for 10 minutes the system will time-out and you will have to re-enter your information.

SBS Bank is a member of the New Zealand Bankers Association and is subject to the Code of Banking Practice. The Code of Banking Practice sets out important information about our relationship with customers. This includes important information in relation to PINS and passwords, along with internet banking. For further details please refer to the Code of Banking.

We recommend you

» Install anti-virus/anti-spyware software on your computer
» Keep your software up to date. 
» Memorise your passwords and never write these down.
» Clear your temporary internet files and cache. 
» Please ensure that ‘cookies’ are enabled for your web browser.

Remember SBS Bank staff will never ask you for your Internet Banking Security Information either in person, in writing (including by email) or over the phone.

Keeping Yourself Safe in the New Age

Frauds and scams are unfortunate byproduct of the digital age. Research NZ estimates 72% of New Zealanders have been the target of some kind of scam, either online or via telephone..

Anyone is vulnerable to a scam. The trouble is there are so many different types of scams and they all target people in different ways. They are increasingly more sophisticated, so it's difficult to determine a genuine approach from the fake. Scammers are also smart - if one scam or tactic doesn't work, they change the game plan.  

The Commission for Financial Capability (CFFC) has produced The Little Black Book of Scams to arm people with knowledge of typical scam methods, tips on how to recognise them, how to avoid them and what to do if you have fallen for one of them. Click here to view and download a copy.

They also have a brochure on Coping with the Aftermath of a Fraud.  

The Banking Ombudsman also has a section of fraud/scam protection that can be found here.

Back in the early 1900s American bank robber Willie Sutton reputedly replied to a reporter’s inquiry as to why he robbed banks by saying “because that’s where the money is.” Today it would be more accurate to ask fraudsters, why do you scam bank customers? The answer would be: 'it’s an easier target than a bank’. New Zealand banks spend much time and effort to ensure banking technologies are safe and secure. Banks and customers are a partnership. Everyone has their part to play to ensure secure banking for all.

Use strong passwords
Aim for maximum characters in your password and use a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols. You should have separate passwords for all online accounts and change your password regularly (90 days). 
Never share your passwords with anyone.
You are the only person that needs to know your password.

Think before you click on a link
Phishing or social engineering attacks are increasingly being used by cyber criminals to trick internet users into revealing sensitive information. Banks will never ask for your internet banking login or password details via email or phone. Banks will never ask you to log into internet banking via a link in an email.

Update software
Your computer and smartphone need regular security updates to keep running smoothly. Make sure the operating system is up to date.Use the latest version of your web browser available.

Back up your files
Back up your data regularly, keep the backup secure and confirm that the process works. USB sticks, blank CD/DVD’s and online storage services are options you could use.

types of scams

How do you avoid being a scam victim? Be suspicious of:

»  Unsolicited phone calls, visits or email messages from individuals asking for information. If an unknown individual claims to be from a legitimate organisation, try to verify their identity directly with the company.
»  Phone calls, emails or texts advising that you’ve won a competition.
» Someone ringing to say you have an ‘issue’ with your computer.
» Emails claiming you have an inheritance from a long-lost relative.
» A request from someone you don’t know to ‘help them transfer funds’ – and they’ll give you an amount for your trouble. 
» Your utility (phone, electricity, gas) company calling about an issue.
» Your bank calling.

» Do not reveal personal or financial information in email, and do not respond to email solicitations for this information. This includes following links sent in email.
» Pay attention to the URL of a website. Malicious websites may look identical to a legitimate site, but the web site address may use a variation in spelling or a different domain (e.g.com vs .net).
» If you are unsure whether an email request is legitimate, try to verify it by contacting the company directly. Do not use contact  information provided on a website connected to the request; instead, check previous statements for contact information.
» Ask all of your service providers to send you emailed statements if you can (postal theft is becoming more common).
» Be wary of ‘click to win’ surveys online.
» Protect your personal details (DOB, address, family names) on your social media accounts.
» Add privacy levels to your social media accounts.

The Romance scam - What does it look like?

"I met a new American partner online and although she was based overseas we communicated a lot
by email and text and over several months I came to believe we could be together. She wanted help
getting her family’s possessions transferred from Ireland and I sent money through to help. On the
day the possessions were supposed to arrive in the US I got a message saying she had been arrested
and requests for help continued to come through. I now realise the money has been lost."

How to avoid a romance scam

» Be cautious about who you communicate with online. It may be weeks or months before the first mention of money is raised but keep your wits about you.
» Never respond to requests for money. Users of popular dating apps which match users with others located close by have reported rapid requests for financial help including ‘petrol money’.
» Never send money to anyone you do not know or have not met in person. Many romance scammers operate from overseas and any request to send payment offshore should raise a warning flag.
» If a new romantic contact is not willing to meet up or comes up with a series of excuses to avoid meeting in person, you should be cautious about their intentions.
» Avoid giving out personal details, including financial information and identity documents such as a scan of your passport or driving licence that can be used for future scams.
» If you think you are being scammed, stop all contact and avoid sending further payments. Contact NetSafe or New Zealand Police for advice.