Believe it or not Australians have already lost over $22 million to scams in 2021 alone*.
With scams coming in many forms, it’s important to be able to identify and avoid attempts to access your personal information and accounts.
Here we discuss our top tips on how to spot a scam and what to do if you’re caught out.
Visa card scams
A tell-tale sign that your Visa card has been involved in a scam is unusual purchases on your statement. These types of scams often start with one smaller payment, which is the fraudster checking that the card is active, followed by a series of larger purchases.
If your Visa card is lost or stolen, be sure to contact your provider and report it immediately.
Did you know?
You can temporarily lock your Visa card using the MOVE Bank App if it’s lost or stolen.
Phishing Scams
Phishing scams involve fraudsters impersonating a company that you know and trust with the goal of stealing your personal information.
These scammers will commonly pose as your bank and contact you by phone, email, or even social media to try to gain access to your banking details.
Some key signs of a phishing scam include odd email addresses or phone numbers, spelling mistakes or inconsistencies, and any request to provide personal information such as bank account details, credit card numbers, and online banking passwords.
Did you know?
MOVE Bank will never ask for your internet banking password. If you’ve provided your password to someone else, please let us know immediately on 1300 362 216
Loan Scams
If you are contacted unexpectedly about an offer for a loan, proceed with caution. This type of contact could be a scam, especially if the offer has the following characteristics:
- The offer seems too good to be true
- You have never heard of the company
- They ask for an up-front deposit or request your bank account details
- There is pressure to act immediately
- The person contacting you can’t provide any details about their company
If you ever receive a call or email that you believe may be a loan scam, the best approach is to end the call and block the phone number or email address.
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Reporting a ScamIf you think you’ve fallen victim to a scam, please contact us as soon as possible. You can also report it on scamwatch.gov.au so that others can be warned of current scams. |
*Statistics from scamwatch.gov.au as at 24 February 2021
