Instances of cybercrime and bank fraud are on the rise with experts predicting more attacks on the horizon. In response to this worsening situation and in an effort to enhance customer digital trust senior politicians, security experts and Police Scotland joined the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) CEO Ross McEwan in Edinburgh to explore ways of helping to keep Scotland safe from the growing impact of fraud and cybercrime.

The event was held at RBS’s flagship branch at St Andrew’s square with MSP Derek MacKay, Mandy Haeburn-Little CEO of the Scottish Business Resilience Centre (SBRC) and Police Scotland Chief Superintendent John McKenzie in attendance to discuss measures to be taken to stop fraudsters in their tracks.

The meeting coincided with the launch of the fourth edition of RBS’s Little Book of Big Scams, which has been developed with support and input from some of the parties at the meeting and includes new cyber fraud advice booklets, which are available online and in print.

The book helps customers to identify potential frauds and scams and offers top safety tips for customers to remember when banking online. For example, be vigilant, never provide remote access to their device when asked to do so by a cold caller and to keep their mobile devices’ operating systems up to date to ensure they have the latest security patches.

Tackling Financial Crime Through Education

McEwan said: “Keeping our customers safe and secure is a bank wide priority, we are committed to helping our customers and communities protect themselves from scams and the fear of being scammed. We believe that prevention through education is key and are delighted to be working with Police Scotland on this informative guide as well as looking at how we can work together.

“This book and our plan to provide Friends Against Scams Training to one million people across the UK by 2020 will help customers and non-customers to spot a scam and empower them to help prevent relatives, neighbours and friends from becoming victims.”

McKenzie said of the relaunch: “Police Scotland is delighted to support the relaunch of the Little Book of Scams materials in Scotland to assist our communities in staying safe in the virtual and the real world. These publications offer excellent advice in raising awareness and most importantly, provide easy tips to prevent you becoming a victim of the ever-growing variety of scams and fraudulent activity, which criminals may use, to steal your money or personal details.

“I encourage you to read and share these documents with your family and friends to increase your knowledge and understanding to reduce the harm often associated with these crimes and by doing so, stay safer in your online activities.”

Haeburn-Little applauded RBS on its efforts to foster digital trust, commenting: “The bank was one of the very first companies to be Cyber Catalysts or ambassadors for Cyber Security in Scotland, working directly with SBRC and the Scottish Government.

“At a time when so many companies struggle to create digital trust with their customers, I commend RBS for their tireless activity and their absolute commitment to understanding individual customer needs in this area. This publication is the next stage in supporting those customer needs”.