Let's talk a bit about how to protect your account and your money, and avoid online traps. There are people who may ask for your confidential information on social media, by SMS, by e-mail or over the phone, even claiming to be BT employees or from a government institution. It's good to know how to spot these fraud attempts, known as phishing.

Never share your card details with anyone

Never send your card details — card number, CVV, PIN or expiry date — by phone or e-mail. You only need them yourself when you pay online or withdraw cash at an ATM.

If someone wants to send you money, they will never need these details. In that case, you can share only your IBAN or account number — never your card details.

Don't download apps that aren't from Banca Transilvania and that ask for your confidential card details.

BT apps are BT Pay, NeoBT and BT24 — you'll find them in the App Store or on Google Play, and they are owned by BT.

Don't authorise or confirm transactions you didn't initiate

There is no reason for anyone to ask you to authorise an action you did not request. Also, if you receive a confirmation code by phone or e-mail without knowing why, please call us immediately on *8028. It's important to read these messages carefully. You usually receive them for legitimate reasons — for example, when you want to add cards to BT Pay or change their settings, or when you need to confirm online payments with your BT card.

Be careful with links

Don't enter your card details on web pages sent to you by strangers on WhatsApp or social media, or on pages that don't look secure. Generally, payment processors display the Verified by Visa or Mastercard Secure symbols on their pages, and another tell is that secure sites start with https://

If you post items for sale on different sites, no one should ask for your card details to make a payment.

Also, don't log into BT24 or NeoBT from any links other than those on the BT website.

Voice phishing or phone scams

Never agree to give over the phone your login details for online and mobile banking, or your card data. BT staff, the police or other authorities will never ask for them. Also, do not allow strangers to access your computer or your phone.

Keep your apps and operating system up to date

Make sure your phone's operating system is always up to date and you have the latest version of all your apps.

Don't leave your phone or computer unlocked and unattended

It's very important to secure your phone with an unlock method — fingerprint, Face ID or a pattern — and do the same for your computer. Just a few seconds of inattention are enough for someone to install various apps that copy data. So it's better to have an extra layer of security than to be worried.

Use antivirus software

On your computer or phone, keep at bay websites and viruses that can 'steal' data.

Together, we can stop any attempted theft.

Let's say bye-bye to digital pirates.

Editor: Cristina Grivase, Senior Marketing Specialist, Banca Transilvania