Protect your personal information
November 2017, This Week's Editor's Pick, News, Security Services & Risk Management

SABRIC encourages consumers to protect their personal information by sharing it very selectively and on a need to know basis only. Personal information includes identity documents, driver’s licences, passports, addresses and contact details amongst others. In addition, confidential information, which includes usernames, password and PIN numbers should never be shared with anybody.

In order to participate in commercial activity, it has become necessary to identify yourself by providing personal information. Good identity management practices can assist in mitigating the risk of impersonation should the information be compromised.

As some personal information such as your identity number cannot be changed readily, and other personal information such as your home and work addresses are impractical to change, we recommend that you consider the following precautionary measures when you are required to provide personal information for security verification purposes:

• Do not use the information that may have been compromised. Rather use other personal information that you have not used previously in order to confirm your identity in future.

• Register a new email account.

• Implement dual authentication for all accounts and products, especially for financial services products.

• Register for SMS notifications to alert you when products and accounts are accessed.

• Conduct regular credit checks to verify whether someone has applied for credit using your personal information and if so, advise the credit grantor immediately.

• Investigate and register for credit related alerts offered by credit bureaux.

• Check your bank statements regularly.

“Whilst the compromise of personal information creates opportunities for criminals to impersonate you, it does not guarantee access to your banking profile or accounts.” says Kalyani Pillay, CEO of SABRIC. “However, the importance of never sharing confidential information in order to protect yourself cannot be overemphasised.”

SABRIC encourages consumers to note and implement the tips and guidance given by the banking industry to ensure that criminals cannot gain access to their profiles and accounts.

Some don'ts

• Don't carry unnecessary personal information in your wallet or purse.

• Don't disclose personal information such as passwords and PINs when asked to do so by anyone via telephone, fax or even email.

• Don't write down PINs and passwords, and avoid obvious choices like birth dates and first names.

• Don't use any Personal Identifiable Information (PII) as a password, user ID or personal identification number (PIN).

• Don't use Internet cafes or unsecure terminals, hotels, conference centres etc. to do your banking.

Some do's

• Use strong passwords for all your accounts.

• Change your password regularly and never share them with anyone else.

• Store personal and financial documentation safely. Always lock it away.

• Keep PIN numbers and passwords confidential.

• Verify all requests for personal information and only provide it when there is a legitimate reason to do so.

• To prevent your ID being used to commit fraud if it is ever lost or stolen, alert the SA Fraud Prevention Service immediately on 0860 101 248 or at www.safps.org.za.

• Ensure that you have a robust firewall and install antivirus software to prevent a computer virus sending out personal information from your computer.

• When destroying personal information, either shred or burn it (do not tear or put it in a garbage or recycling bag).

• Should your ID or driver’s licence be stolen, report it to SAPS immediately.

For more information go to www.sabric.co.za