'Our job is to keep payments secure'

'It’s our job to keep payment transactions safe. On all devices. To do this, we work together with other banks and the police, in the Netherlands and abroad. All traffic between you and the bank is encrypted, whether you pay using the ABN AMRO app or on Internet Banking. Nobody can read it. And our detection tools do exactly what they’re supposed to do. Some people are particularly concerned about banking on their phone. But how you bank makes no difference to scammers. Laptop or phone: phishing messages can reach you on either device. So the most important thing is that you recognise them. That’s why we share information about scams in campaigns and emails.'

‘Even though nobody else can just log in to your ABN AMRO app: you must take action immediately. Delete your stolen device on Internet Banking as soon as possible. If you can’t manage to do that, please get in touch. We can register your phone or smartwatch as stolen and make sure that everything is blocked. Strangely enough, people often forget to do this. They go to the police and get their provider to block their SIM card, but they don’t call us if they’re having trouble.’

This is what Kathelijne says about securing your device: 'You really need to protect all the data on your phone. Not only your banking app, but everything. So always make sure that your device is properly secured. Phones are very efficient in this respect; they have several ‘layers’ of security that you can enable. First of all, you secure the device itself. When you download our app, you’re asked to identify yourself and register your device. This is an extra security step. It’s also best to secure the app itself with facial recognition or your fingerprint. These are the safest options, as they’re purely yours.’

‘If you’re outside or on public transport, it’s always possible that someone will try to look over shoulder, so be aware of what’s going on around you in the same way as when you withdraw cash. If you don’t feel comfortable banking outside the home, don’t do it. You can choose to do your banking on your phone at home, in the same way as you did with Internet Banking in the past. If you secure the app with facial recognition or your fingerprint, nobody will be able to shoulder surf your access codes. Never bank on a public Wi-Fi network, as they’re not always properly secured. And log out as soon as you’ve finished banking.’

What about other apps? Kathelijne explains: 'The ABN AMRO app is a completely closed environment, just like Internet Banking. Other apps can’t access your banking. But it’s good to be critical and cautious when using other apps. Check what you’re agreeing to when you download an app. They sometimes ask for permission that doesn’t feel logical.'

‘We have our own processes, security and detection tools to intercept phishing. But it’s important that you recognise phishing yourself. Remember that we would never ask you to log in or transfer money through a link. If you’re aware of this, you can reduce the risk of becoming a victim. We take down fake websites and fake emails almost on a daily basis. If you spot a fake email or text message, please forward it to us!'

And according to Kathelijne, it’s important to remember: 'Installing antivirus software on your PC or laptop doesn’t automatically protect you from everything. You need to download the updates too, on all your devices. Including updates for your operating system and all your apps. Only download apps from official app stores, because Apple and Android have already done the hard work and checked them out. You won’t be able to continue mobile banking if your phone is too old or you have an outdated version of the ABN AMRO app. This might sound a bit unfriendly, but it’s for your own protection.’