How to keep your banking app safe on your phone (without becoming a tech wizard)

Let’s be honest. Your phone is basically an extra limb at this point. It wakes you up, keeps your diary, stores 3,000 photos you swear you’ll organise one day, and lets you check your money while the kettle’s on. 

Using the thisbank mobile app is quick, handy, and saves you time, having to phone, and queuing for an agent. But because it deals with money (your money), it’s also something online scammers would love to get their hands on. 

The good news? You don’t need to be “good with tech” to stay safe. You just need a few sensible habits. Think of this as locking your front door, but for your phone. 

Let’s keep it simple. 

Why people get caught out (and why it’s not your fault)

Online scams work because they play on normal human behaviour: 

• We trust messages that look official 

• We’re busy 

• We’re polite 

• We panic when something mentions “suspicious activity” 

Scammers aren’t geniuses. They rely on people being rushed, tired, or distracted. The aim of this article is to help you spot the tricks and avoid the hassle. 

You’re not “bad with technology” if you’ve ever clicked something dodgy. You’re human. Let’s make you harder to trick. 

1. Lock your phone properly

Your phone is the key to your digital life. If someone can unlock it, they’re halfway to everything else. 

Do this: 

• Use fingerprint or face recognition if your phone has it 

• Set a strong PIN or passcode (not 1234, not your birthday) 

• Set your phone to lock itself quickly when not in use 

This means if your phone is lost, left in a café, or borrowed by the wrong person, your personal information and everything on your phone is still protected. 

2. Only use the official app stores to download apps

For example, if you use our mobile savings app, always download the thisbank app from the official app store on your phone. Never download a banking app from: 

• A link in a text 

• A link in an email 

• A pop-up on a website 

If you’re not sure you’ve got the right app, go to your phone’s app store and search for thisbank directly. 

You can also link here to your official app download page:
👉 Apple app store link 

👉Google Play store link 

Fake apps do exist. They look real. Their job is to steal logins. Don’t give them the chance.

3. Keep your phone and app updated

Those update notifications you ignore? They’re not just about new features or moving buttons around. 

Updates fix security problems. 

Turn on automatic updates for: 

• Your phone’s software 

• Your thisbank app 

Think of updates like locking a window you didn’t realise was open. It’s boring, but it matters. 

4. Don’t trust messages claiming to be “urgent”

If you get a message saying: 

“There’s a problem with your account. Click here to fix it.” 

Take a breath. This is how scams usually start. 

thisbank will never: 

• Ask for your password 

• Ask for your PIN 

• Pressure you to click a link to “secure your account” 

What to do instead: 

• Open your thisbank app yourself 

• Or visit the official thisbank website directly 
• Or contact thisbank using the contact details you already trust 

5. Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Banking

Public Wi-Fi is great for: 

• Reading the news 

• Checking football scores 

• Sending messages 

It’s not great for banking. 

Avoid logging into your thisbank app on: 

• Café Wi-Fi 

• Hotel Wi-Fi 

• Train station Wi-Fi 

• Airport Wi-Fi 

If you need to check something: 

• Use your mobile data 

• Or wait until you’re home 

Public Wi-Fi can be watched by people you can’t see. That’s not the moment to move money around.

6. Turn on extra security in the thisbank app

Most modern banking apps (including the thisbank app) offer extra safety features. These might include: 

• Fingerprint or face login 

• Alerts when money goes in or out 

• Notifications for new devices 

• Spending limits 

• Extra verification for payments 

Turn these on. All of them. 

Yes, it takes a few minutes. Yes, it’s worth it.

7. Be careful what other apps can see

Some apps ask for access to: 

• Your screen 

• Your keyboard 

• Your messages 

That’s a red flag. 

Dodgy apps can: 

• Record what you type 

• Show fake screens over real apps 

• Spy on logins 

If an app: 

• Asks for lots of strange permissions 

• Has terrible reviews 

• Promises miracle phone fixes 

Delete it. Your phone doesn’t need “Super Cleaner 3000”. 

8. Don’t let your phone remember your password

It’s tempting to let your phone save your banking login. It feels convenient. 

But if your phone is stolen and unlocked, saved passwords make things far too easy for the wrong person. 

Better options: 

• Use fingerprint or face login in the thisbank app 

• Use a trusted password manager – never write your passwords down 

• Don’t reuse the same password for different accounts or apps

9. If your phone is lost or stolen, act quickly

If your phone goes missing: 

1. Contact thisbank straight away 

1. Use your phone’s “find my device” feature to lock or wipe it 

1. Change your thisbank login details through our Online Savings Portal 

You’re not being dramatic. You’re being sensible. 

The quicker you act, the less chance anyone has to cause trouble. 

10. Trust your gut

If something feels off: 

• A strange message 

• A call that pressures you 

• A pop-up that doesn’t look right 

• Someone rushing you to act 

Pause. Real support teams don’t rush you or scare you into clicking things. Scammers do. And remember, we’ll never ask you to install software that lets someone see or control your device from elsewhere, and no UK bank should either. 

TL;DR (too long, didn’t read)

• Lock your phone 

• Use the official thisbank app 

• Keep your phone updated 

• Don’t click links in messages 

• Avoid public Wi-Fi 

• Turn on app security features 

• Act fast if your phone is lost 

• Trust your instincts 

Do those things and you’ll be way safer than most people — no tech wizardry required 👌