There are unfortunately a number of common frauds that particularly affect people using the web.

Suspicious emails (phishing)

These are emails that appear to have come from a genuine company, usually your bank or building society. They urge you to follow a link to a false web page often by asking you to update or confirm your security information. It's also not uncommon for them to plant a "virus" on your computer.

The emails often look genuine and the web page they take you to may also look very much like the real thing. To see how realistic these emails can be, have a look at this example.

Whilst we may email you from time to time, we will never ask you to update your details by email and we never attach a link to the Online Services login page within our emails to you.

Please follow this advice

• Only login to Online Services by typing the address of our site into your browser. Do not follow a link in an email to get to our login page.
• Always check that the last login date and time and your image are correct, as this confirms that you are on the genuine Coventry website. If this information isn't correct do not continue to enter your passwords and contact us immediately.
• Be aware of where you are, visit us regularly so that you are familiar with our site and style, read the information on our site and check our security certificate for extra re-assurance. You can do this by clicking on the padlock symbol at the bottom of the login page.

What to do if you receive a suspicious email

If you receive a suspicious email, for example one asking you to provide or update your Security Details, do not respond to it and do not follow any links in the email. Please forward a copy of any suspicious emails you receive to suspiciousemail@thecoventry.co.uk and then delete it from your computer.

You can find out more about phishing by visiting www.getsafeonline.org.uk.

Spoof websites

Related to phishing email frauds, these are websites that look very much like the real thing. Typically the website will be published under an address not dissimilar from that of the real company – maybe with some slight spelling errors in the web address (URL). These spoof websites are used by fraudsters to try and encourage you to give away your Security Details.

Please follow this advice

• Always check the URL of the site you are visiting – make sure it is us www.thecoventry.co.uk or www.coventrybuildingsociety.co.uk. Check for our security certificate by clicking on the padlock symbol at the bottom of the login page before you enter any details.

Suspicious phone calls

Beware of providing any personal information, for example your name or address on the telephone to someone who has rung you unexpectedly.

Please follow this advice

• If you are in any doubt about who you are speaking to, arrange to call them back on a number you have looked up yourself – for example the number published on this website.