Guernsey Police, HSBC and Get Safe Online will be working together to deliver a cutting-edge programme aimed at helping banking customers as well as the wider community learn about the dangers of cybercrime.
The partnership was launched at the bank’s branch in St Peter Port yesterday.
The public had the opportunity to speak to the police and bank staff about what to look out for and how to protect themselves online.
Police digital media investigator, Tom Elliott, said cybercrime was something that happens all the time, but the public are often not aware of it.
‘Most of the time these crimes will happen without the victim knowing and they won’t notice until it’s too late,’ he said.
‘If the public receive texts or emails from organisations that they aren’t sure about then should go into their bank branch or contact the company before they make any decisions.
‘For example, your bank will never ask for your personal details or account number via email.’
Protecting your personal belongings is just as important, said Mr Elliott.
‘Make sure that your laptops and phones are password protected, as we keep a lot of information on our devices which can be used if the objects are stolen.
‘Also make sure you have multiple passwords for different accounts.’
Commenting on the partnership, Mhairi Thomsett, country head for retail banking and wealth management at HSBC, said people and business around the world were falling victim to online crimes every day.
‘This is as much the case in the Channel Islands as anywhere,’ she said.
‘Nobody whatever their background, education, age group of location is immune from the threat.
UK Finance published figures earlier this year showing that more than £500m had been stolen by UK criminals through fraud and scams in the first half of 2018.
Detective Chief Inspector Clare Cuthbert, from Guernsey Police, added: ‘Keeping you and your family safe is no longer about just locking your door at night, it’s about preventing easy access to your information, data and devices.
‘Everyone should follow the Guernsey Police Facebook and twitter, where information about how to stay safe online will be shared.’
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