As the long-awaited holidays season started, we would like to wish you great experiences and safe travels! However, it is important to remember that it is during this period that the risk of fraud increases. In addition to the usual dangers online and while traveling, the holiday season can also pose additional challenges to the security of your business.

Additional risks of the holiday season: employee replacement and reduced vigilance

During the summer, when employees are on vacation and replacing each other, situations may arise in which overall vigilance decreases and vulnerability to fraud increases. New or temporary employees may be less familiar with the company’s usual procedures and security protocols, so it may be easier for fraudsters to take advantage of this situation.

How to stay alert during staff substitution:

• Clearly define roles and responsibilities: Ensure that each employee who is substituting for a colleague is clear about their roles and responsibilities, especially those related to financial transactions and data security.
• Provide appropriate training and instructions: Before substituting, employees should be properly trained and receive clear instructions on the company’s security policies and procedures.
• Be extra vigilant when receiving unusual requests: Pay special attention to any unusual or urgent requests for payments or confidential information, especially if they come from unfamiliar or unusual channels. Verify the information in several ways.
• Limit access rights: Give temporary employees only the necessary access to systems and information needed to perform their direct duties.
• Encourage reporting of any suspicions: Create an environment where employees feel safe to report any suspicious actions or uncertainties they observe.

Be extra vigilant online:

• Avoid suspicious links and attachments: Never open emails or messages from unknown senders, especially if they ask for payment or personal information. Even suspicious emails from familiar contacts can be a phishing attempt.
• Check website addresses: Before entering your login details or payment information, make sure that the website address is correct and begins with the secure protocol “https://”. Pay attention to small errors or unusual characters in the address.
• Keep your login details safe: Do not disclose your online banking passwords, PIN codes or other personal information to anyone. SME Bank employees will never ask you for this data.

If you suspect fraud:

Contact SME Bank Customer Service Center immediately by phone +370 601 88888 or by e-mail [email protected]. The sooner you report suspicious activity, the greater the chance of avoiding financial losses.

We wish you a safe and memorable summer!