Westpac issues alert regarding text scam impersonating the bank and asking for personal information
- Replies 3
It's comforting to know that banks are taking steps to safeguard their customers from online and digital fraud in today's world. However, as we become more cautious in verifying our online transactions, our vigilance must also strengthen.
This is particularly important if we're concerned about online scammers attempting to steal our credit card information, debit card details, or even our hard-earned savings.
A recent example from one of Australia's major banks, Westpac, underscores this need for heightened caution.
They have issued an urgent warning regarding a new text scam to deceive customers into divulging their personal or banking information. The scam operates through a fabricated text message from a suspicious-looking number impersonating Westpac.
The message falsely claims that the customer's 'Westpac Protect SMS Code Mobile Number' has been changed. The recipient is then instructed to call a fraudulent Westpac number, which is not legitimate.
'Scammers often use genuine wording from organisations to appear legitimate, but make small changes to links or phone numbers to avoid recipients identifying the scam,' Westpac said.
'Be aware—if you call the number in this message, you will not be speaking with Westpac. It will be a scammer. They are likely to request your personal or banking information. Do not provide any of this information. Just hang up.'
'We will never ask you for this information,' the bank stressed.
The bank firmly emphasised that they will never ask customers'sensitive information. Therefore, customers must not share their Online Banking Security Codes with any third party, including Westpac.
If you come across an email, SMS, or any solicitation that raises suspicions of being a scam, you should report it to your bank. Afterwards, you can delete the message from your device, both from your main messages and deleted items.
In addition, recipients are encouraged to send a duplicate of the scam message to [email protected] or via text to 0497 132 032. This action can help contribute to preventing such fraudulent activities.
In 2022, Australians fell victim to scams amounting to a staggering $3.1 billion, marking a significant increase of 80 per cent compared to the previous year.
Surprisingly, despite the number of reports to Scamwatch dropping by 16.5 per cent, the record loss reached this unprecedented level, as revealed by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's Targeting Scams report.
The types of scams leading to these substantial losses were primarily investment scams, which accounted for a whopping $1.5 billion, followed by remote-access scams at $229 million and payment-redirection scams at $224 million.
An interesting detail is that text messages were the preferred method of perpetrating scams. Approximately 79,835 Australians reported receiving scam SMS messages, indicating an 18.8 per cent increase from the previous year.
Members, it's really important for us to stay vigilant in all situations, whether online or offline. To protect ourselves from scammers and fraud, we must be proactive and actively monitor our finances to ensure the safety of our hard-earned money.
Do you have any additional tips or advice to offer? Have you ever come across messages similar to the one mentioned earlier? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below!
This is particularly important if we're concerned about online scammers attempting to steal our credit card information, debit card details, or even our hard-earned savings.
A recent example from one of Australia's major banks, Westpac, underscores this need for heightened caution.
They have issued an urgent warning regarding a new text scam to deceive customers into divulging their personal or banking information. The scam operates through a fabricated text message from a suspicious-looking number impersonating Westpac.
Westpac has warned customers to be aware of texts regarding unexpected SMS Code change messages. Credit: Westpac.
The message falsely claims that the customer's 'Westpac Protect SMS Code Mobile Number' has been changed. The recipient is then instructed to call a fraudulent Westpac number, which is not legitimate.
'Scammers often use genuine wording from organisations to appear legitimate, but make small changes to links or phone numbers to avoid recipients identifying the scam,' Westpac said.
'Be aware—if you call the number in this message, you will not be speaking with Westpac. It will be a scammer. They are likely to request your personal or banking information. Do not provide any of this information. Just hang up.'
'We will never ask you for this information,' the bank stressed.
The bank firmly emphasised that they will never ask customers'sensitive information. Therefore, customers must not share their Online Banking Security Codes with any third party, including Westpac.
If you come across an email, SMS, or any solicitation that raises suspicions of being a scam, you should report it to your bank. Afterwards, you can delete the message from your device, both from your main messages and deleted items.
In addition, recipients are encouraged to send a duplicate of the scam message to [email protected] or via text to 0497 132 032. This action can help contribute to preventing such fraudulent activities.
In 2022, Australians fell victim to scams amounting to a staggering $3.1 billion, marking a significant increase of 80 per cent compared to the previous year.
Surprisingly, despite the number of reports to Scamwatch dropping by 16.5 per cent, the record loss reached this unprecedented level, as revealed by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's Targeting Scams report.
The types of scams leading to these substantial losses were primarily investment scams, which accounted for a whopping $1.5 billion, followed by remote-access scams at $229 million and payment-redirection scams at $224 million.
An interesting detail is that text messages were the preferred method of perpetrating scams. Approximately 79,835 Australians reported receiving scam SMS messages, indicating an 18.8 per cent increase from the previous year.
Members, it's really important for us to stay vigilant in all situations, whether online or offline. To protect ourselves from scammers and fraud, we must be proactive and actively monitor our finances to ensure the safety of our hard-earned money.
Do you have any additional tips or advice to offer? Have you ever come across messages similar to the one mentioned earlier? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below!
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