fbpx
Skip to main content
New Financial Assistance Hub

Banks launch new campaign in fight against scammers

Banks launch new campaign in fight against scammers

12 August 2024

Campaign assets can be accessed here.  ​

12 August 2024

Extra protections from banks to shield Australians from scams will be front and centre of a new campaign to be launched today.  

With the tag line ‘The fight against scams never stops’, the campaign showcases the range of safeguards banks are introducing as part of the industry’s Scam-Safe Accord:  

ABA CEO Anna Bligh said banks had some of the strongest anti-scam protections in the world to help shield Australians from scammers.  

“Scams are a scourge on our society. Every day, too many people are being targeted by scammers who only have one objective and that’s to steal money,” Ms Bligh said. 

“Whether it is the middle of the day or the middle of the night, banks are deploying cutting-edge technology to identify potential scam activity and stop scammers in their tracks.

“While we must all remain vigilant to the risks of scams, Australians should have confidence that their bank is working around the clock to keep them safe from scammers.   

“Banks have a range of tactics and tools they deploy to shield Australians from scammers such as payment warnings and delays to the blocking of transfers to dodgy scam accounts. 

“Customers will start seeing more payment delays or warnings when transferring money to someone they haven’t paid before. This will allow banks to spot red flags and help them check that money isn’t going directly to a scammer.”  

Customer Owned Banking Association (COBA) Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Elliott said that scam prevention and detection are top priorities for the 55 mutual banks and credit unions they represent. 

“Scammers are sophisticated criminals operating within a complex network, requiring cross-industry collaboration to disrupt their activities. Australia’s ecosystem approach shows promise, with scam losses decreasing for the first time in six years,” Ms Elliott said. 

“Customer-owned banks are committed to deploying innovative and collaborative measures to disrupt unscrupulous scammers,” she added. 

The banking industry’s Scam-Safe Accord includes:    

Progress continues to be made on the development of the industry-wide confirmation of payee capability with the design phase now complete and build underway. Australia will only be one of a handful of countries in the world to have this capability.  

The campaign will run from today for the next six weeks and include advertisements on billboards and across TV, radio and digital channels.  

Contact: Benn Ayre | [email protected] | 0428 342 325
Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | www.ausbanking.org.au

Latest news

1 / 3
Transcript
Doorstop in Sydney on new mandatory industry scams codes  
13 September 2024

Anna Bligh: This new framework is a comprehensive approach to the terrible scourge of scams. This will mean that every single part of the scam chain where scammers try to take the hard earned money of Australians will now have to play a role in preventing scams, detecting them and keeping Australians safe.  Journalist: I… Read more »

Read more
Media Releases
Mandatory industry scams codes important part of winning war against scammers
13 September 2024

Banks welcome the release of draft legislation to establish a new Scam Prevention Framework to better protect consumers and drive scammers out of Australia. ABA CEO Anna Bligh said winning the war against scammers will only be possible through a collective effort across the entire scams chain, including from government, banks, telcos and social media… Read more »

Read more
Transcript
Interview on ABC Radio Sydney on surcharges
4 September 2024

Craig Reucassel (Host): It’s also there was a bit of an inquiry into banking in parliament last week, NAB boss Andrew Irvine complained that he’d paid a 10 per cent surcharge when he bought a cup of coffee in Sydney. Surcharging has been outlawed in parts of the United States, Canada, Europe and Britain. Is… Read more »

Read more