Skip to main content
Financial Assistance Hub

Sydney suburbs targeted in bank phone scam

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

 
@austbankers

www.bankers.asn.au

 

Latest news

1 / 3
Media Releases
Banks welcome more progress to modernise payments system rules
9 October 2025

The ABA welcomes today’s release of the exposure draft legislation to modernise the regulation of payment service providers. ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said the proposed reforms represent another important step towards ensuring Australia’s payments system remains safe, secure and fit-for-purpose. “Australians now have access to a range of payment options and no matter how they… Read more »

Read more
Media Releases
Finalisation of independent pricing model report to support cash distribution
3 October 2025

Deloitte Access Economics has now determined its recommended regulated pricing model for Armaguard’s Cash-in-Transit services. The final independent pricing mechanism report has been provided to Armaguard as well as the major banks and major retailers.  This is an important milestone in working to keep cash available around Australia, even while people are using less of… Read more »

Read more
Transcript
ABA CEO Simon Birmingham transcript of interview on ABC RN Breakfast with Sally Sara
24 September 2025

E&OERadio InterviewABC RN Breakfast with Sally SaraWednesday, 24 September 2025. Sally Sara (Host): Reserve Bank Governor Michelle Bullock has hit out at Australia’s big four banks for standing in the way of making shopping cheaper for customers. The RBA wants to ban surcharges on card payments. To fund the ban, it wants to dramatically cut… Read more »

Read more