Your Questions Answered
Protecting your personal information
A personal firewall is a small program that helps protect your computer and its contents from unauthorised access on the Internet. When installed correctly, it stops unauthorised traffic to and from your computer.
There are many effective programs to choose from. Common commercial examples include Zone Labs, McAfee and Computer Associates.
Phishing is where fraudsters try to get to your money by getting you to disclose your security/login details through scam emails. Take these steps to fight this fraud:
- Ignore emails claiming to be from Skipton Building Society that ask you to follow links to a site to confirm your online account security details. These emails and fake sites may look as if they're from Skipton Building Society but they are fraudulent.
- If you think you've received a fraudulent email that looks like it's from Skipton Building Society, ring the Contact Centre on 08457 025026* and then delete it from your email account.
- Always check the authenticity of the Skipton Building Society’s online account site by checking its security certificate, which you can do by double-clicking on the padlock symbol on your browser.
- If you think you've given away your security details ring the Contact Centre on 08457 025026*.
- Keep your system and web browser updated. Manufacturers regularly release security patches when weaknesses are discovered in their systems and browsers. Ensure you have the latest updates at all times.
Call ML is a system designed to enable customers to open accounts easily without the need to provide original identification documents. Call ML verifies your identity electronically by checking your details against a number of independent data sources.
No. Call ML is not a credit check, it simply verifies your identity. A Call ML check does not affect your credit rating and is not in any way affected by an adverse credit history.
Since 1994, when the Money Laundering Regulations became law, all banks and building societies have had to put procedures in place to stop criminals from using them to launder their ‘dirty’ money. This includes the need to obtain proof of identity and address from anyone who wishes to open an account or buy any financial product or service from them.
The first step in the laundering process for criminals is to get their money into an account with a bank or building society often using a false identity and address therefore it is extremely important that ID is taken for all customers to confirm that their identity is genuine.
Asking you to prove your identity does not mean you are under any suspicion. Taking ID from customers helps to protect the Society from laundering money and making ‘dirty’ money appear as ‘clean’ legitimate funds.
Accessibility
On Microsoft Internet Explorer go to the browser Toolbar menu and click HELP / ABOUT INTERNET EXPLORER.
On Netscape Navigator go to the browser Toolbar menu and click HELP / ABOUT COMMUNICATOR.
You may need to download the Adobe Acrobat Reader software which is free from the following link.
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html
Please remember that we cannot offer any support if you choose to install new software or update your PC. You should seek advice from an IT Professional if you are unsure how to perform these tasks before undertaking them.
Online registration
Once you are on the Skipton Building Society website you need to follow the links to the online account and you will be guided through the online procedure for account opening.
Some fraudulent websites exist which copy the genuine website to make it almost impossible for the user to distinguish between the two. To help our customers to recognise that they are logging in to the genuine Skipton Building Society online account we ask you to choose an image from a selection offered to you and then to enter a memorable phrase to go with it. Once you have registered this combination it is stored on our system against your account. The next time you log in and enter your Unique Identifier we will display your registered image and phrase combination to you. If you do not see the expected combination you are advised not to enter any further security details and to ring the Contact Centre on 08457 025026* to report the problem.
As an additional level of security we offer you the option to register all the computers which you regularly use to access your online savings account. We only register non personal information relating to your screen resolution and your browser details. In addition the information is encrypted when it is stored. Whenever you log into your account from any of your registered computers we will be able to recognise that it is you. If an attempt is made to access your account from an unregistered computer (for example an Internet Café while you are on holiday) we will request you to input characters from random co-ordinates from your registered Grid Card. To ensure the attempt is genuine, access will not be allowed if the correct characters are not entered. You can register as many computers as you wish and also delete them should you wish to (for example, before you sell your computer).
We take the security of your information very seriously and therefore as part of your registration procedure we need to post a unique Grid Card to you which will enable you to transact on your account. We will only issue the Grid Card to your registered address. However should you wish to access your account to view your details you can log in before you receive your Grid Card but will be unable to perform any transactions.
Once you receive the letter containing your unique Grid Card you will need to log onto the Skipton website and follow the link to the online account logon. You will then need your Unique Identifier, your chosen password and the answers to the Security questions which were chosen by you when you registered your details for an online account. The web pages will guide you through the process you need to follow in order to register your Grid Card.
We aim to issue your unique Grid Card as quickly as possible so that you can start using your account. If you are concerned that your Grid Card has not arrived please ring the Contact Centre on 08457 025026*.
Online security
On the online account login homepage you can choose the option ‘Forgotten Security Details’ this will take you to a second page where you are given three options, forgotten password, forgotten unique identifier or forgotten security answers. You may choose any combination of these options from where you will then be guided through the appropriate process to re-activate your account.
On the online account login homepage you can choose the option ‘Forgotten Security Details’ this will take you to a second page where you are given three options, forgotten password, forgotten unique Identifier or forgotten security answers. You may choose any combination of these options from where you will then be guided through the process to re-activate your account.
You will need to ring the Contact Centre on 08457 025026* and they will reset your security details. Once you have received your temporary password you will be able to log into your account and reset the answers to your questions.
Once you have activated your account, login and choose the Secure Message icon. You will then be able to type your query in the box provided. We will send an email to your registered email address to inform you when you have a reply to your query. You can then retrieve this by logging into your Secure Message area on your online account.
You should not however, include your security details in a secure message.
If you have registered your computer you will be able to log into your account and go to the change personal details button. From there you will see a list which includes request replacement Grid Card. There are then two options for you to choose from:
- Choose the first if you are still able to use your existing Grid Card but you would like a replacement. We will then send you a new card and you will be able to continue using your existing one until you receive and register your new one.
- Choose the second option if you have lost your existing Grid Card and we will immediately cancel it and issue you with a new one. You will no longer be able to transact on your account until you have received and registered your new card.