TSB warns of fraudsters cashing in on bank's continuing IT woes

TSB has alerted digital banking customers still suffering the effects of its bungled IT upgrade to a surge in so-called phishing scams.

The bank, which is still getting to grips with gremlins in its systems as a result of the IT work just over a week ago, warned customers that fraudsters were trying to trick them into handing over PIN numbers and passwords.

TSB issued the update on its official Twitter (Frankfurt: A1W6XZ - news) and Facebook (NasdaqGS: FB - news) pages, saying: "Customers have made us aware that they are receiving emails and tweets claiming to be from TSB.

"Please remember we would never ask you for your security details such as PIN or full password and we would only contact you via social media from our Official TSB Twitter or Official Facebook page."

It urged its 1.9 million digital banking users to familiarise themselves with the 'Take Five' anti-fraud initiative to help protect themselves.

The bank continues to be deluged with tweets from angry customers and has admitted some are still having issues logging in while others are seeing payments fail via the mobile app or website.

TSB insisted payments into accounts and things like direct debits and standing orders were working normally.

It said: "Payments through our mobile app and internet banking are available, but we know some customers are seeing an error message and experiencing difficulties at the moment.

"If your payment is urgent and you are unable to do it online / in app, please give us a ring. However, we are busier than usual and it may take us longer than normal to help you.

"Don't forget if you are trying to pay a bill (e.g. your water bill), you can use your debit card to pay the provider directly."

The bank brought in consultants from IBM (NYSE: IBM - news) last Wednesday to help it get services back to normal.

It had rolled out, over the previous weekend, a new digital banking system under the umbrella of its parent firm, Sabadell.

But it quickly became apparent things had not worked as they should - sparking an angry backlash from customers and searching questions from regulators and MPs (BSE: MPSLTD.BO - news) on the Commons Treasury Committee.

It emerged on Monday that the bank's under-fire boss, Paul Pester, and chairman were to give evidence before the committee on Wednesday to explain the failures.

In a letter to the MPs, also published by the committee on Monday, Mr Pester said the company continued to "work around the clock to put things right".

It contained additional information on the plight of customers using branches to make transactions last week, showing 40% of its sites were affected by technical difficulties.

TSB said call centres had average waits of "close to an hour" a week ago, though many customers reported at the time that they had been cut off.