As the festive season approaches, the intensity of various transactions tends to increase. Unfortunately, this can also be a time when fraudsters become more active. We encourage you to stay vigilant and take steps to protect your business—both physically and, most importantly, in the digital space.

Holiday Season Risks – Increased Workload and New Team Members

During this time of year, many companies experience changes in team composition—employees return from vacation, and new colleagues join. These transitions can lead to gaps in information sharing and increase vulnerability to fraud. Take time to review internal processes, inform your staff, and reassess your security measures.

How to Stay Vigilant – A Business Security Checklist:

• Ensure clear information handover: Provide new employees with clear instructions and training on security procedures.
• Review access rights: Make sure employees have access only to the systems and data necessary for their roles.
• Watch for unusual requests: Be alert to unexpected or urgent requests for payments or confidential information.
• Encourage reporting of suspicious activity: Create an environment where employees feel safe to report any suspicious actions or uncertainties.

Be Extra Cautious Online:

• Avoid suspicious links and attachments: Never open emails or messages from unknown senders, especially if they request payments or personal information. Even emails from known contacts can be part of a fraud attempt.
• Check website addresses carefully: Before entering login or payment details, ensure the website address is correct and starts with the secure protocol “https://”. Watch for small errors or unusual symbols in the URL.
• Protect your login credentials: Never share your online banking passwords, PIN codes, or other personal information. SME Bank employees will never ask for your passwords, PINs, or login credentials via phone, email, or text message.

If You Suspect Fraud:

Contact SME Bank’s customer support immediately at +370 601 88888 or via email at [email protected]. The sooner you report suspicious activity, the better the chance of avoiding financial loss.