Important Notice to Customers
FCM Bank would like to remind our customers to only use https://www.fcmbank.com.mt to browse our website or access our Online Banking to avoid the risk of landing on a fraudulent page intended to gain access to your personal information. You should always look for the 'https' prefix at the beginning of the website address and for a padlock that can also provide you with information about the site's security certificate.
Please ignore any emails, phone calls or other communications that request you to click on a link or to divulge personal details such as your username and password.
At FCM, we have a number of security layers to keep your browsing on our website and Online Banking secure, including two factor authentication via SMS. It is important to remain vigilant against potential scams and fraudulent attempts to obtain your bank details for the purpose of stealing your money. Here are some tips to help keep yourself safe:
When browsing online, it is crucial to verify that you are visiting a trusted website to protect your personal and financial information from potential scams or fraudulent activities. Before entering any sensitive information or conducting transactions on a website, carefully examine the URL (web address) in your browser's address bar. Make sure it matches the official website address of the organization you intend to visit. Ensure that the website URL begins with "https://" instead of just "http://". The "https://" prefix indicates that the website is using a secure connection, encrypting data transmitted between your browser and the website's server. If you have any doubts about the authenticity of a website, refrain from entering sensitive information and consider contacting the organization directly for verification.
Your username and passwords are unique to you, and you should never share them with anyone else, including friends, family members, or FCM Bank employees. Phishing scams are used by criminals to lure victims by email, text and phone, into handing over valuable information impersonating that they are from the Bank. We will never ask for your personal details such as username or password. So please ignore any emails, SMS or phone calls asking you to enter and provide your Online Banking details. Also, avoid passwords that are easy to guess and change your password regularly. Passwords which include your name, surname, birthdate etc should be avoided. A unique password should be used using a combination of letters, numbers and special characters to enhance security.
- A typical phishing email will not be personally addressed to you but may begin with ‘Dear valued customer’.
- A phishing email might ask to ‘verify your account information’, which attempts to generate an action from you instinctively without thinking.
- Phishing emails may contain spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. Legitimate organisations usually proofread their emails carefully to ensure accuracy and professionalism.
- Check the sender’s email carefully. Phishing emails often use email addresses that mimic legitimate organisations but may contain slight variations and misspellings.
- Be cautious of unexpected attachments or links in emails, especially if they prompt you to download files or provide sensitive information. These attachments or links could lead to malicious websites or malware installation.
By being aware of these typical phishing characteristics, you can better recognize and avoid falling victim to phishing scams. Always exercise caution when responding to unsolicited emails and refrain from clicking on suspicious links or providing personal information unless you are certain of the sender's legitimacy.
When an FCM Bank staff member writes you an email, we always greet you personally with your title and surname.
Links submitted through email will always direct to fcmbank.com.mt. We will never ask for your personal information by email, particularly internet banking login passwords.
Limit personal information online: Be cautious about sharing personal information on social networks and other online platforms, as this information can be used by cybercriminals to tailor phishing attacks specifically to you or to gain access to your accounts.
Exercise caution with all emails: Treat all emails with caution, even those that appear to be from trusted sources. Email headers and website links may be manipulated to appear professional and legitimate.
Suspicious links: Avoid clicking on a link from a suspicious or unexpected email, especially if they contain big promises, threats, a false sense of urgency, unnecessary secrecy or if you cannot think of any reason why they would need to contact you. Additionally, be cautious of ‘business opportunities’ which involve holding or receiving money for strangers, as these could be potential scams.
Avoid divulging personal information about yourself and your accounts on social media, such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Identity thieves may gather such information to access your accounts.
We have set a maximum transfer limit of €5,000 per account per day. Together with this, our Online Banking only allows for payments to be transferred into your registered linked bank account. Transfers over €5,000 can be requested via secure Online Banking messaging or in writing.
We monitor transactions on a regular basis and if any suspicious activity is detected we will contact you immediately. We also encourage you to check your account regularly for suspicious activity and immediately report any discrepancies to us on 80073737 or +356 21388 388 from outside Malta.
Electronic devices such as smartphones and laptops carry a lot of our personal information. It is essential to keep your devices safe and to encrypt them with a strong password. If any of your devices are lost, please make sure to change all your passwords immediately and report it to the relevant authorities. If you have any reason to believe that your FCM Online Banking account and password have been compromised, please contact us and we will guide you on how to change your details.
We will never send you links asking you to download software. Please ignore pop-ups or suspicious messages requesting you to download software.
Installing a reputable anti-virus and firewall software is paramount for ensuring the security and safety of your computer or laptop. These essential tools serve as your first line of defence against a wide range of cyber threats, including viruses, Trojans, worms, spyware, and ransomware. By actively monitoring and analysing network traffic, a firewall acts as a barrier between your system and the internet, halting unauthorized access attempts and preventing cyberattacks. Meanwhile, anti-virus software works to detect and remove malicious programs that may attempt to infiltrate your system, safeguarding your sensitive data from theft and exploitation. With regular updates and scans, these security solutions provide ongoing protection against evolving threats, ensuring that your online activities remain secure and your personal information remains confidential.
It is crucial to keep your operating system, web browsers, and other software up to date to protect against vulnerabilities that could be exploited by viruses and hackers. Weaknesses in software and applications are regularly discovered, making it essential to install software updates promptly. By doing so, you can patch these vulnerabilities and strengthen the security of your computer systems.
Ensure your browser and operating system are set to automatically update ensuring that you receive important security patches in a timely manner. This helps prevent cybercriminals from exploiting known vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to your computer or sensitive information.
Additionally, it is advisable to avoid using public or shared laptops and computers when accessing sensitive and personal information such as your internet banking. These devices may not have up-to-date security measures in place, increasing the risk of unauthorized access or data breaches.