10 March 2016
Sydney, 10 March 2016: The Australian Bankers’ Association has today warned about a telephone scam trying to get Sydneysiders to disclose personal and banking information.
“These callers are falsely using the ABA’s name and claiming to conduct surveys about bank satisfaction,” ABA Chief Executive Steven Münchenberg said.
“Over the past few weeks the ABA has received numerous calls from people living in Ryde, Caringbah and Carlingford reporting this scam.
“Elderly people are at risk because they are more likely to be home during the day,” he said.
Some of the questions scammers typically ask are:
- Who do you bank with?
- How long have you banked with them?
- Are you satisfied with your bank?
In some cases people are told they are owed a ‘refund’ for overcharged bank fees but they have to pay a fee for it. People can be tricked into revealing their driver’s licence number, credit card number or internet banking login.
“The ABA does not conduct customer satisfaction surveys or contact the public in these ways,” Mr Münchenberg said.
“If you receive a phone call such as this, do not provide any information. If you have given any details to these callers, contact your bank as they can take action to protect and monitor your account.
“At a time when there is also a sophisticated SMS phishing scam targeting mobile banking customers, it’s important to be wary of disclosing information to people you don’t know.”
If you receive a call of this nature please report it to the ABA on 02 8298 0417.
ENDS
Contact: Stephanie Arena 0477 470 677 or Nic Frankham 0435 963 913
Latest news
Australian banks are rolling out disaster support to customers affected by the current bushfires in Victoria. ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said banks were continuing to monitor the evolving situation across Victoria and are on standby to assist impacted customers. “This is an extremely challenging time for many Victorian communities, households and businesses,” Mr Birmingham said. “There are now special arrangements in place for those who may need additional financial assistance from their bank in the coming days, weeks and months. “Banks have highly… Read more »
Banks stand ready to support customers in north and north-west Queensland currently experiencing heavy rainfall and flooding. ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said customers didn’t have to tough it out on their own with banks on standby to assist communities get through this challenging time. “Banks recognise the significant financial and emotional toll an extreme weather… Read more »
The ABA acknowledges the release of the 2025-26 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook. The Government’s forecasted $8.4 billion reduction in the deficit over the forward estimates including a $5.4 billion reduction for year’s deficit is welcome. Lower deficits and claimed savings of $20 billion over the next four years is a beginning towards ensuring our national finances are on a more sustainable footing. While this Budget update contains lower forecasts of spending as a share of GDP, the ABA notes the importance of ongoing spending restraint to help reduce inflationary and interest rate pressures. Banks… Read more »