Protect Yourself From Financial & Bank Scams

Phishing scams involve fake emails, text messages or phone calls that appear to be from a trusted bank or financial institution. Scammers trick people into revealing personal or banking details by claiming there’s an issue with their account or urging them to verify information. These scams often include links to fake websites designed to steal your login credentials.

Investment scams promise high returns with little or no risk. Scammers often pose as financial advisers or representatives from well-known institutions, offering fake investment opportunities in shares, cryptocurrency, property or foreign exchange. These scams can be sophisticated, with fake websites, documents and even real-looking product disclosure statements (PDS).

These scams occur when someone pretending to be from a reputable company (often claiming to be from your bank, Telstra or even the ATO) convinces you to give them remote access to your computer or device. Once in, they can steal banking logins, install malware or even initiate fraudulent transactions in real time.

Card skimming involves illegally copying the information from your credit or debit card’s magnetic strip, often using devices attached to ATMs or EFTPOS terminals. Scammers then clone your card and use it to make unauthorised transactions.

Scammers steal your personal details (like your name, address, date of birth or driver’s licence number) to open bank accounts, apply for loans or make unauthorised purchases in your name.

Often this is done through phishing, data breaches (where hackers gain unauthorised access to company databases containing customer information) or intercepted mail (where scammers steal or redirect your physical mail to obtain documents like bank statements or ID).

This scam targets businesses by hacking or impersonating company emails – especially those of CEOs, finance managers or suppliers. Scammers use these compromised emails to redirect invoice payments or payroll funds to their own accounts.

These scams often target people approaching retirement, offering early access to their super or better returns if they switch funds. Scammers may pose as financial advisers or claim to represent government services.

Scammers send texts or emails claiming to be from your bank, stating that a payment has failed or your account has been locked. These messages often include a link to a fake banking login page designed to steal your details.

These scams promise easy access to loans or relief from your debts – sometimes for an upfront fee. Once the fee is paid, the scammer disappears or continues to ask for more money under false pretences.

These scams occur when someone builds a fake online relationship with the intent of gaining your trust and eventually your money. Scammers often pretend to be overseas and concoct emotional stories to ask for help – like medical emergencies, travel issues or legal trouble.