Security information

Customer Security Information

Banking online with Norwich and Peterborough is safe and secure. Although we cannot maintain or guarantee the security standards of customers’ home PCs, we can offer some guidance on ways to help ensure that you maintain a high level of home PC security when using our Internet Banking service.

Here is our guidance:

Always run up to date Anti Virus software. This is a requirement of the Conditions of our Internet service. Anti Virus software is intended to ensure that your PC stays virus free and does not have any malicious programs running on it. There are several products on the market which can be updated by downloading from the Internet; searching the Internet with a search engine like Google and adding the search text ‘Anti Virus Products’ will give details of many of the market leaders. We do not recommend any particular product, but one which offers regular updates would be advisable.

Always run the latest Internet Browser – This should be the latest browser appropriate to your Operating System (e.g. Internet Explorer 6.0 for Windows 98, Windows 2000 or Windows XP). Further details should be obtained from your Browser supplier; for the majority of users this will be Microsoft’s Internet Explorer (IE) Browser. Further details can be found at the Microsoft site.

For other Browser users (e.g. Netscape or Mozilla) details can be found at Netscape site or Mozilla.org.

If you are not using the latest browser, or do not wish to upgrade, you could add Microsoft’s High Encryption Packs to your PC. Details on IE High Encryption Packs and how to download them can be found at the Microsoft site.

Always keep your computer up to date with the latest security patches – keeping updated with the latest patches will help prevent home PC disruption from viruses like the recent “Blaster” worm. Further details on this and on other home PC protection including Anti Virus and personal Firewalls can be found at the Microsoft site.

Identity fraud

CIFAS, the UK's fraud prevention service provides the following advice on what to do if you believe that you may be a victim of identity fraud or impersonation.

If you believe your identity documentation may be misused, a CIFAS Protective Registration can be placed against your address when you have good reason to believe it may be used by a fraudster, for example, when documentation such as a passport has been stolen. If you are the relative or representative of a deceased person and you believe that their identity may be being used fraudulently you may also register for this service. To request Protective Registration, telephone 0870 010 2091 or visit the CIFAS website at www.identityfraud.org.uk

There is a fee of £11.75 including VAT for this service.

If you believe you are a victim of identity fraud here is some advice for you to follow:

obtain a copy of your credit file from the credit reference agencies - visit the CIFAS website at www.identityfraud.org.uk for further details
don't ignore it - the problem will be harder to solve the longer it goes on
start to contact everyone involved immediately and keep a record of who you have spoken to and copies of letters which you have sent
if a passport or driving licence has been stolen, report it as soon as you know it is missing
if cheques and cards have been stolen, notify the issuers as soon as you become aware they are missing and request new ones
notify Royal Mail if you suspect that you are not receiving all your mail

And Finally...

Some financial institutions have recently discovered attempts by criminals to gain banking and/or credit card details from their customers by getting them to reveal their personal details. This is likely to be an increasing menace and you are therefore advised to:

NEVER divulge your user log-in and/or password or any other banking or credit card details. Remember, we will never contact you by any means, to ask for your log-in, password, card or PIN details. For your own protection, under no circumstances should these be disclosed
NEVER go to any website and input any password or other banking details as the direct result of an e-mail request; this includes Credit card & PIN numbers requested via e-mail
ALWAYS connect to Internet Banking from the log-in page on the www.npbs.co.uk website and check that the NetmasterGold website has a yellow padlock or a key on the bottom of your screen once connected. This lets you know the site is secure and tells you your details are being kept confidential. Similarly, when making purchases, do not give credit card details on a site without a yellow padlock as your connection may not be secure

If you are concerned that you may have disclosed any confidential information, or have any concerns about security, please call our Contact Centre on +44 845 300 2511.

Similarly, when making purchases do not give credit card details on a site without a yellow padlock as your connection may not be secure.

If you are concerned that you may have disclosed any confidential information, or have any concerns about security, please call our Contact Centre on 0845 300 2511.

For further advice and information on how to protect yourself from online/banking fraud or identity theft, you may find the following websites informative.