NatWest acts against email scam

NatWest has insisted its online banking service is safe, despite banning customers from setting up any new direct debits or standing orders. The bank took the action on Wednesday following the emergence of a new phishing email that claims to be an official software update. It attempts to trick NatWest customers into divulging their log-in and password details in a bid to gain access to their bank accounts. NatWest, which is “liasing with the relevant authorities”, including the National Hi-Tech Crime Unit, said no customers have lost money. “We have temporarily restricted the ability to make new third party payments online but we have not taken the service down,” said a spokeswoman for NatWest. “You can still access your account and make payments to existing account details.” Anyone that wants to set up new payments will have to use other methods, including telephone banking. Last week, security experts warned that customers with online banks including Abbey, Barclays, Egg, HSBC, Lloyds TSB, Nationwide and NatWest are the target of a new Trojan horse. Commenting on the emergence of the Banker-AJ Trojan, NatWest said: “We take the threat of Trojans very seriously and provide customers with advice on avoiding these on our website. In order to avoid Trojans we advise customers to protect their computers with up to date anti-virus and firewall software and to check for updates to key programs such as the operating system and internet browser.” For advice and information on banking scams, visit www.banksafeonline.org.uk.