Scam alert: Couple loses $30,000; Bank's response disappoints
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In an age where we should be enjoying the fruits of our labour and the peace of mind that comes with financial security, scams targeting seniors are on the rise, leaving many in our community feeling vulnerable and exposed.
The story of Rod and Mary, a couple well-known in the Australian comedy scene, is a stark reminder of the cunning tactics scammers employ and the unexpected responses victims might face from institutions that are supposed to protect them.
Rod Quantock and Mary Kenneally, a Victorian couple who have brought laughter to many through their live theatre and television work, recently fell prey to a sophisticated bank scam that cost them a staggering $30,000.
‘I could hear Rod in the back room talking to someone on the phone... for a long time,’ Ms Kenneally stated.
‘Rod sounded very serious. A little bit alarming.’
The scammer, posing as a representative from their financial institution, Bendigo Bank, convinced Rod to transfer the funds to a new account to prevent a supposed hack.
Unfortunately, the scammer controlled the account, which was with HSBC.
The day after the fraudulent transaction, Rod, still under the influence of anaesthetic from a cardiac procedure, and Mary contacted their local Bendigo Bank branch and were informed they had been scammed.
Bendigo Bank acted swiftly to alert HSBC, which restricted the scam account, but it was too late by then. Less than $3,000 of their $30,000 could be recovered.
When Mary contacted HSBC to track down the remainder of their funds, she was met with a response that left them both stunned.
HSBC refused to take further action, citing customer privacy concerns.
‘They refused to do anything as they could not "invade their customer’s privacy,"' she said.’ she said.
The couple's plight has since gained media attention, and following this, they were promised total compensation for their loss.
However, the ordeal has highlighted a significant issue within the banking industry's response to fraud, especially when protecting the elderly and vulnerable.
‘Why couldn’t our bank reverse the transaction? Or put a time delay on unusual payments?’ she asked.
An HSBC spokeswoman has stated that protecting customers from criminals is critical and that the bank and the industry are doing everything possible to combat scammers.
‘While there is always more work to be done when combating scammers, HSBC, together with the industry, has been doing everything it can to protect customers,’ she explained.
Mr Quantock and Ms Kenneally are a well-known couple in Australian comedy.
They collaborated on the 80's sketch comedy series Australia You're Standing In It.
In related news, a group of HSBC Australia customers lost $1.25 million to a bank impersonation scam.
The scammers used spoofing to send texts or make calls that appeared to come from HSBC, requesting personal details and bank codes. Read more about it here.
Have you or someone you know been affected by a similar scam? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below.
The story of Rod and Mary, a couple well-known in the Australian comedy scene, is a stark reminder of the cunning tactics scammers employ and the unexpected responses victims might face from institutions that are supposed to protect them.
Rod Quantock and Mary Kenneally, a Victorian couple who have brought laughter to many through their live theatre and television work, recently fell prey to a sophisticated bank scam that cost them a staggering $30,000.
‘I could hear Rod in the back room talking to someone on the phone... for a long time,’ Ms Kenneally stated.
‘Rod sounded very serious. A little bit alarming.’
Comedy legends Rod Quantock and Mary Kenneally lost $30,000 to scammers. Credit: Facebook
The scammer, posing as a representative from their financial institution, Bendigo Bank, convinced Rod to transfer the funds to a new account to prevent a supposed hack.
Unfortunately, the scammer controlled the account, which was with HSBC.
The day after the fraudulent transaction, Rod, still under the influence of anaesthetic from a cardiac procedure, and Mary contacted their local Bendigo Bank branch and were informed they had been scammed.
Bendigo Bank acted swiftly to alert HSBC, which restricted the scam account, but it was too late by then. Less than $3,000 of their $30,000 could be recovered.
When Mary contacted HSBC to track down the remainder of their funds, she was met with a response that left them both stunned.
HSBC refused to take further action, citing customer privacy concerns.
‘They refused to do anything as they could not "invade their customer’s privacy,"' she said.’ she said.
The couple's plight has since gained media attention, and following this, they were promised total compensation for their loss.
However, the ordeal has highlighted a significant issue within the banking industry's response to fraud, especially when protecting the elderly and vulnerable.
‘Why couldn’t our bank reverse the transaction? Or put a time delay on unusual payments?’ she asked.
An HSBC spokeswoman has stated that protecting customers from criminals is critical and that the bank and the industry are doing everything possible to combat scammers.
‘While there is always more work to be done when combating scammers, HSBC, together with the industry, has been doing everything it can to protect customers,’ she explained.
Mr Quantock and Ms Kenneally are a well-known couple in Australian comedy.
They collaborated on the 80's sketch comedy series Australia You're Standing In It.
In related news, a group of HSBC Australia customers lost $1.25 million to a bank impersonation scam.
The scammers used spoofing to send texts or make calls that appeared to come from HSBC, requesting personal details and bank codes. Read more about it here.
