Security information

Latest security information
Update 28 October 2008 - Part-time job phishing emails.

You may be aware of 'phishing' email scams that attempt to trick customers into disclosing confidential details about their bank and credit card accounts.

Please be aware that we are currently experiencing a high volume of queries with regard to a phishing email that has been recently circulating on the internet. There are several variants of the email and it often claims to be offering part-time work and mentions Virgin or Virgin Finance. This "scam" email is an attempt to gather personal information and is in no way associated with any legitimate job roles at Virgin or Virgin Money. The emails typically contain the following text:

"Subject: Private client manager

Virgin.com

Looking for part-time job?

In 2008 Virgin became more global than ever before, because creating and capitalizing on opportunities is about staying on the move. We have a vacant position 'Private Client Manager' in our team and will be glad to have you work with us."

We'd just like to confirm that Virgin Money never send out e-mails to customers asking you to disclose confidential information online. If you get such an e-mail, don't respond to it, or click on any links in it. Please forward it immediately to info@virginmoney.com and we'll investigate. And if you're concerned about the validity of any e-mails you get from Virgin Money, call our support team on 08456 10 20 30.

Our globally recognised brand is our greatest asset, and we take the protection of that very seriously. Unfortunately, from time to time unscrupulous people take advantage of that brand awareness and use it to leverage fraudulent activities. Our I.T Security Team is currently working to shutdown the operation behind this phishing email and will update this page with its progress.

Security and privacy

At Virgin Money we work hard to keep the information you give us safe. We follow strict security procedures on how your personal information is stored and used, and who sees it, to help stop any unauthorised person getting hold of it.

To make sure you can securely access any accounts you hold with us, we ask you to set up your own security details (such as a username and password), which are there to protect you.

Personal information we need from you

We usually need your name and address, and anything else that helps us to identify you. We will only ever ask for essential information that helps us give you the best service we can. 

How we collect your personal information and why

We can collect your details online or when you contact us by post or phone. For example when you ask us about a product or enter a competition.

We might use this information for other marketing promotions and to let you know about our products and services, but only if you are happy for us to do so. We might also use your personal data for statistical analysis of our customer base.

We don’t collect or hold onto your personal information unless it is absolutely necessary and we don’t keep it for any longer than we need or are required to by law.

Is your personal information shared with anybody else?

We will only pass your personal information to other companies, Virgin or otherwise, with your approval when you register with us - except as required by law. This could be for credit checking purposes or simply companies with other products or services we think might appeal to you, who may then get in touch with you.

If you would like a list of other companies that personal data could be transferred to, just ask.

We may also send you details of products, services and promotions from other companies that might appeal to you. Again, if you would rather we didn’t, just let us know. 

We don’t rent or sell our customer lists to anyone. We just use them to sort customer information and research our customers’ needs and preferences.

Our website contains links to other websites, which may well have different privacy and security policies to us. Please remember, we don’t have any control over these websites, so we can’t take responsibility for any information you give them.

Access to personal information

You have full access to all information stored about you. You can ask us at any time to give you details about what your information is being used for and who else might see it. You may have to pay a small administration fee for this. Also, please ask if you would like us to change or delete any personal information you have previously given us. If we can we will, but sometimes we have to keep your records for legal reasons.

Cookies

These are small files placed on your computer's hard drive, or in your browser memory, when you visit our website. It helps us speed things up for you when you come back. It tells us what parts of the site you visit, what you like and what's most relevant to you. What cookies don't do is store any personal or confidential information about you.

Virgin Money uses pixels, or transparent GIF files, to help manage online advertising. These GIF files are provided by our ad management partner, DoubleClick. These files enable DoubleClick to recognize a unique cookie on your Web browser, which in turn enables us to learn which advertisements bring users to our website. The cookie was placed by us, or by another advertiser who works with DoubleClick. With both cookies and Spotlight technology, the information that we collect and share is anonymous and not personally identifiable. It does not contain your name, address, telephone number, or email address. For more information about DoubleClick, including information about how to opt out of these technologies, go to http://www.doubleclick.net/us/corporate/privacy.

Transfer of your personal data outside the EU

Countries outside the European Union may have a lower standard of protection for personal information than that required by the Data Protection Act 1998. If we need to transfer your data to a company based outside the EU, we’ll try to make sure your personal data is handled in line with UK law.

If you apply for a Virgin Personal Loan or the Virgin Credit Card, we will need to send your data to our partner company MBNA in the USA.

Security

At Virgin Money, we use some of the most cutting-edge online security measures available. All details passing between us are scrambled using 128-bit encryption.

Useful security tips

Here are some useful security tips when using the internet:

• Keep any passwords and user names secret, and don't write them down in any way someone else might understand. Make them impossible to guess and change them now and again. 
• Use anti-virus software and remember to keep it up to date. Popular anti-virus products include: McAfee, Norton (from Symantec) and Sophos.
• Protect yourself further against viruses by keeping your operating system (e.g. Windows XP) and web browser (e.g. Internet Explorer) up to date. You should be able to do this at the website of the company which produces your operating system (e.g. Microsoft).
• Use personal firewall software to prevent unauthorised access to your PC from the internet. Popular personal firewall products include: McAfee, Symantec, and Zone Alarm.
• If you share a computer, remember to clear the cache after use (The ‘help’ will normally show you how to do this, if you’re not sure).
• Don't open email attachments from strangers, and be wary of any unexpected emails containing attachments, especially those with file endings .exe, .pif or .vbs.

We take security extremely seriously but as no system is 100% secure, we can’t completely guarantee the protection of your personal information, any more than any other organisation can. So we can’t accept any liability for the loss, theft or misuse of your personal details when they are processed on this website or the internet generally.

Future changes to our privacy policy

Any changes we make to our policy will be put on our website and the Virgin.com website. Please check for updates from time to time, so you’re always fully aware of what information is collected, how it’s used and under what circumstances it may be passed on.

Contact details

If you would like to get in touch with us about our security and privacy policy please contact:

Phil Towers
Virgin Money
Discovery House
Whiting Road
Norwich NR4 6EJ

Virgin Money and all Virgin Group companies are registered on the public register of data controllers maintained by the Information Commissioner. We work strictly in line with the Data Protection Act 1998, so we are licensed to hold information and must comply with the Act at all times.