Safety tips for banking

To prevent Crime its very important to be concerned about Banking Safety! Following are the safe ways of Banking

• Never introduce an unknown person to a banker for the purpose of opening a new account.
• Never collect third party cheques / drafts through your account.
• Do not keep your account in-operative for a long time.
• Keep cheque books / credit cards in a secured place.
• Never keep blank / signed cheques in the drawer or any place where outsiders have an easy access.
• Never etch or scribble your credit/ATM card passwords on any document. Similarly, do not disclose your safe deposit locker password to anybody.
• Never give the keys of safe deposit locker to anybody.
• To avoid theft of cheques/warrants in transit, and subsequent cheating by misuse of such instruments, keep a track of the cheques / drafts / warrants.
• It is advisable to personally operate your bank account.
• All bank transactions should be counter checked to ensure that deposited cheques have been realized. Make a habit to verify details furnished in your statement of account.
• Count the cash before leaving the counter while withdrawing money from your account.
• Never hand over the cash to unknown person who offers help for counting your cash.
• Never be a guarantor for a loan unless you are sure about the financial & repayment capacity of bank's borrower.
• Post dated cheques represent Nil security. Such cheques can always be countermanded by the person who issued the cheque. Hence do not accept PDCs as security.
• Never issue cheques without having adequate balance in your account.
• Insist on demand draft / bankers cheque / pay orders if you are dealing with an unknown party.
• If a cheque deposited by you in your account bounces, you should give a notice to the person who issued the cheque within 15 days. If he does not compensate, file a complaint in the court under section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.

Automatic Bank Tellers :

Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) have provided us with a quick and convenient way to access our money. However; they may create security risk. The following tips can help to ensure continuous secure use of the Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) :

• Never lend your card to anyone. It is the key to your bank account and is for your use only.
• Protect your Personal Identification Number (PIN). Memorize that number rather than writing it down for safe keeping.
• Never disclose your PIN to anyone. NOTE: No one from your bank will ever ask you for your PIN.
• Have your card ready when approaching the automatic teller in order to complete your transaction quickly and safely.
• Be aware of anyone loitering in the area of your automatic teller. If you are suspicious of anyone or anything then leave immediately and contact the police.
• When conducting a transaction use your hand or body as a shield to prevent others from seeing any of your confidential information.
• After completing your transaction, remember to retrieve your card, your cash, and your transaction record.
• After you have received your cash, do not count it at the teller. Place it in your purse or wallet and count it later, privately.
• Report any lost or stolen cards immediately to your bank and police.

Credit Cards :

If you lose a credit card, you should report it to the issuing company & Police without delay. We suggest you make a list of all the cards and charge plates your family has and the name and address of the company to notify. Don't start hunting for this information after your credit cards have been lost or stolen.

Credit/Debit Cards Protection

Losing your credit cards or having them stolen can be aggravating and costly. People should be made aware that credit card fraud is a serious crime for which everyone pays. Following these simple steps may help to prevent you from becoming a victim of credit card crime :

• Report lost or stolen cards to the card issuer and the police immediately. This will allow the issuer to take the measures necessary to prevent fraudulent use of the cards.
• Keep an accurate and up-to-date list of all credit cards, their account numbers, expiry dates and issuers' phone numbers so that you may quickly report missing cards. Remember to keep the list in a secure place.
• Never volunteer your card number to callers who tell you that you have won a trip or prize or are eligible lo receive a free gift. This could result in unauthorized charges to your account.
• Avoid leaving credit cards or other valuables in a locker at recreational facilities and other public places even if it can be locked.
• Never leave credit cards in the car or any other vehicle. Many cards are stolen from glove compartments.
• Never lend your credit/debit card to anyone.
• Sign new credit/debit cards as soon as you receive them and destroy the expired ones.
  Protect all your cards including those issued by phone companies, grocery store chains, discount stores etc. that would facilitate someone to charge goods and services against your name.

(Courtesy : Maharashtra Police Website)