Card & PIN Security and Protection

• Before you carry out your transactions, take a look around you to ensure there is nothing suspicious.
• Make sure that there is not a peculiar component on the ATM, which shouldn’t be there.
• If you find any suspicious object, signs of tampering or marks at the entry point of the card (like a distorted frame, damage or add-on components, holes etc.), avoid using the specific ATM machine. Contact the Bank immediately (800 11 800 or +357 22575555 from abroad).
• In the case of the ATM withholding your card or you face any trouble during one of your transactions, you should only immediately contact AstroBank (800 11 800 or +357 22575555 from abroad).
• Do not trust strangers who offer to assist you in any way while using the ATM or even ask for your card’s PIN.
• In the case that there is an indication the ATM is out of order or has any technical issues, you should only immediately contact AstroBank (800 11 800 or +357 22575555 from abroad).
• When you are entering your PIN, you are strongly advised to cover the keyboard with your hand, so that no one around you can see your PIN number.
• Upon completing your cash withdrawal, you are advised to discretely count the notes as fast as possible.
• Make sure you are not alone when needing to use the ATM at night time, especially in isolated areas.
• If you are using an ATM which is located in a secluded area, do not let other individuals you do not know to enter the area until you finish your transactions.
• Do not let your keys or any valuable objects unattended in your car while using the ATM and especially do not let the car engine on.
• Make sure you take your card back once you finish your transactions.
• Never leave the transaction receipt printed on the ATM machine.

• You should avoid using your date of birth as your PIN, or your telephone number or any other personal information of yours which are can easily be guessed by others.
• You should always avoid writing your PIN in places accessible to others, i.e. in a note on your phone.
• Avoid using the same PIN for several different cards.
• Choose your PIN carefully and memorize it. Make sure it is not a number which someone can guess from items that can be found in your wallet or bag.
• Under no circumstances should you give out your PIN to others. For example if someone calls you and says they are calling on behalf of AstroBank and ask you for your PIN, do not give it to them. No Bank follows such practises. If you have caller ID, write down the number which has called you and report it immediately to the Police.  
• Always compare your transaction receipts against your monthly account/card statement. If you notice anything strange or out of the ordinary or identify any transactions not made by you, inform AstroBank immediately.
• Do not give or lend your card to anyone.
• When you are out, only carry with you the cards you intend on using.
• You should immediately report the theft or loss of your card to AstroBank (800 11 800 or +357 22575555 from abroad).
• Never save your PIN with your card.
• You should always destroy any documents (receipt, mail etc) which might contain your personal information on them (i.e. name, address etc).
• Always check the expiration date of your card. If you do not receive your card renewal on time, contact us on 800 11 800 or +357 22575555 from abroad.

• Make sure we have your updated information in our system, especially your mobile telephone number and your e-mail. 
• In case of emergency (i.e. theft or loss of card), contact our Call Center immediately on 800 11 800 or +357 22575555 from abroad.
• Always carry with you only the cards you intend on using to minimize risk.

• Make sure you change your passwords frequently and you use a combination of letters, numbers and special characters (like # and @). Avoid using your AstroBank passwords for other accounts or online activities.
• You are responsible for the safeguard of your security passwords (PIN). In the case of your passwords being exposed, you should immediately contact (800 11 800 or +357 22575555 from abroad).
• Do not give out any personal information about yourself.
• Do not give out any information regarding your card, as this exposes you to the risk of your personal information being shared with third parties.
• Try to navigate the web and visit certified websites/businesses where you place your card details. If you are unsure of the level of security they provide, you should avoid carrying out any transactions online with them.
• Before carrying out any transactions through the web portal of AstroBank, make sure you are connected through a secure connection and that you are in the official portal of the bank. You can identify this from the official website of the bank and the security lock in the search bar.
• Social media platforms are increasingly popular, though it is wiser to keep your personal information private rather than sharing it on such platforms.  Avoid publicly sharing your personal information, especially the ones you use when performing online banking transactions, (like date of birth, address, your mother’s surname, schools you have attended or even pet names!). Fraudsters can use this information and gain access to your accounts, considering the security questions you have used are a match.
• Visit the AstroBank website only through www.astrobank.com and not through other links.
• Always examine and choose carefully the Privacy settings in social media platforms that you use. The options they offer might appear complicated and have hidden implications, which is why you should read them carefully before choosing or accepting them.
• AstroBank will never ask for any reason (either through a phone call or an  SMS/MMS or even e-mail), information regarding your accounts, cards, passwords. They are personal data and you should never reveal them to anyone.   
• After completing your online transactions, disconnect from the web portal of AstroBank by pressing “Exit”.

• Beware of unsolicited telephone calls.
• Take the caller’s number and advise them that you will call them back.
• To validate their identity, look up the organisation’s phone number (on their website or by running an online search) and contact them directly.
• Don’t validate the caller using the phone number they have given you (this could be a fake or spoofed number).
• Fraudsters can find online basic information about you or your business (e.g. social media profiles). Don’t assume a caller is genuine just because they have such details.
• Don’t share your credit or debit card PIN number or your online banking password. Your bank will never ask for such details.
• Don’t transfer money to another account on their request. Your bank will never ask you to do so.
• If you think it’s a bogus call, report it to your bank.

• Make use of the security settings on your device, like locking the keyboard, locking the phone when not in use, activating the “find my phone” setting or “memory erase” in case of theft or loss of device.
• In the case of selling your old device, make sure you have erased all your personal SMS on that device, as well as any SMS received from banks.
• Keep your PIN, passwords, date of birth private. Never share such personal information through unprotected channels, like SMS, phone call or e-mail.
• In the case you lose your phone r you change your number, you should immediately inform AstroBank to change it in the system also.
• Avoid saving your PIN or other personal information on your smartphone or any other applications that someone could have access to in case they got hold of your phone.
• When completing your online transactions, either through mobile phone device or Winbank Mobile, you should always terminate the session and disconnect, not just close the app. For your security, AstroBank terminates any session after being inactive for 10 minutes
• In order to always be up tp date with security settings on your phone and updates, you should always make sure you have downloaded the latest update pf your mobile device.
• Be especially careful when using public networks. Go through any Wi-Fi or Bluetooth settings even from trusted providers, since fraudsters might have forged the name of a trusted provider.
• Download the AstroBank Mobile app in order to ensure security of yor personal information and  data.
• Always keep in mind that QR (Quick Response) codes, should be treated the same URL or e-mail. The QR codes can be used by fraudsters in order to re-direct you to their own portals and ask you to share personal information or even gain access to your device.
• Be careful when scanning QR codes, as they may have been altered.
• Use a QR code scanner from a trustworthy source, which will depict any fraudulent content.

• Avoid downloading anything from unknown sources. 
• Before downloading an update on your computer, make sure it is an update published by the company itself and so it is safe to do so. 
• Keep your computer safe by using certified protection programs (firewalls, antivirus, antispyware).
• Be cautious when performing online activities on shared computers. Publicly used computers should be used with caution. Viewing or downloading documents (ie. bank statements) should only be done on computers you consider safe.  
• Always use passwords on all your devices, to prevent other users from gaining access on your devices. For example, if you are using a wifi router, follow the instructions to insert a password (or any other security measures suggested).