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The Australian Banking Association (ABA) is the information source for the news media on the Australian banking industry, providing information, analysis and context on industry issues.

The ABA plays an active role in the public dialogue on banking and financial services, providing commentary on broader industry issues and facilitating access to other sources of information.

For media inquiries contact [email protected] or 0475 741 007.


Media Releases
Fans urged to watch out for ticket scams ahead of footy finals
28 August 2025

With the AFL and NRL finals about to kick off and demand for tickets set to surge, the Australian Banking Association is warning footy fans to be on the lookout for scammers.  The ABA is issuing this warning during Scams Awareness Week and as tickets for the AFL finals go on sale from today.  … Read more »

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Media Releases
AI-powered scams in the sights of banks 
25 August 2025

This Scams Awareness Week, banks are urging Australians to remain alert to emerging scam threats, from criminals using AI to replicate the voice of people you trust through to deepfake videos of celebrities endorsing investment opportunities.    AI scams to be on the lookout for: ABA CEO Simon Birmingham said the ever-increasing use of AI… Read more »

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Media Releases
Banks welcome more progress in scams war as losses fall
11 March 2025

Banks are continuing to play their part in the fight against scammers, as the ABA welcomes a new report showing scam losses fell by almost 26 per cent last year.   The ABA acknowledges the release of the 2024 Targeting Scams Report by the National Anti-Scam Centre showing combined reported scam losses fell by $700 million… Read more »

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Transcript
ABA CEO Anna Bligh on footy ticket scams: transcript of interview on FiveAA Adelaide with Graeme Goodings
3 March 2025

Graeme Goodings (Host): Hardly a day goes by that we don’t talk about scams. I mean, we’re ever alert, but the scammers seem to be one step ahead, half a step ahead, best, and all we can do is put out warnings to you on a regular basis. Joining me now is CEO of the… Read more »

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Transcript
ABA CEO Anna Bligh on footy ticket scams: transcript of interview on Sunrise with Natalie Barr and Matt Shervington
3 March 2025

Natalie Barr (Host): Well, as we kick off into footy season, the Australian Banking Association is urging Aussies to remain vigilant with ticketing scams. Matt Shervington (Host): People buying resale tickets to footy games on social media are being told to watch out for the warning signs as the growing number of criminals take advantage… Read more »

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Transcript
Interview with ABC Riverland on Romance Scams
12 February 2025

Stephanie Nitschke (Host): Now, locals are being urged to guard our hearts and our bank accounts in the lead up to Valentine’s Day. Scammers will be ramping up and preying on romantics and vulnerable people. Last year, Australians reported over 3000 romance scams, that’s $24 million. So, it does pay to be extra vigilant at… Read more »

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Transcript
ABA CEO Anna Bligh on romance scams: transcript of interview on Channel 7 Afternoon News with Mike Amor
10 February 2025

e&oe Mike Amor (Host): There’s a warning from our big banks ahead of Valentine’s Day to be aware of romance and dating scams, with Australians losing almost $24 million last year. Joining me now is the CEO of the Australian Banking Association, Anna Bligh. Anna, good to see you. International gangs are using artificial intelligence… Read more »

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Transcript
ABA CEO Anna Bligh on romance scams: transcript of interview on Today Show
10 February 2025

Karl Stefanovic (Host): Well, with Aussies losing more than $20 million to romance scams last year, that’s right, $20 million. Banks are now warning people to be extra cautious when looking for love online to discuss Sarah Abo (Host): We are joined now by CEO of the Australian Banking Association, Anna Bligh, good to see… Read more »

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Media Releases
Protect your heart and bank account from romance scams
10 February 2025

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, the ABA is warning Aussies to guard their hearts—and their bank accounts—as scammers ramp-up the use of artificial intelligence and deepfakes to steal money. According to ScamWatch, last year Australians reported over 3,200 romance scams with losses amounting to almost $24 million.   Romance scam red flags: ABA CEO Anna… Read more »

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Transcript
Interview on 3AW Mornings with Tom Elliott on Social Media scams
21 January 2025

Tom Elliott (Host): I wanted to talk about scams in a moment. We know there’s many different scams from getting emails – I saw one in my spam today, saying I have a photo of you doing something you shouldn’t have been doing, if you don’t give me $2000 I’ll release the pictures online. I… Read more »

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Transcript
Interview with 4BC on how banks are combatting scams
28 November 2024

Gary Hardgrave (Host): To the story, Christine Rose and her husband, David, they fell victim to a vicious, really vicious scam. It’s robbed them of $40,000 the money was the house deposit for their first property purchased together. It’s all gone because a cyber-criminal impersonated their solicitor.   Christine Rose (clip from previous interview): It’s affected… Read more »

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Media Releases
New scams prevention framework key to winning war against scammers 
7 November 2024

The ABA welcomes the introduction into the Parliament of critical scam fighting legislation to better protect Australians.   ABA CEO Anna Bligh said the Federal Government’s proposed Scams Prevention Framework is the best way forward to prevent, detect, report, disrupt and respond to scams.   “This is an important step forward in our ongoing work to scam-proof… Read more »

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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 »

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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 »

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Transcript
Interview on ABC Radio Sydney on scams
30 August 2024

Sarah Macdonald (Host): Have you had a call from your bank to check you’re okay? Did you see the Commonwealth Bank in Canberra yesterday appearing and executives saying it is taking down 50 fake Commonwealth Bank websites a week, 50 a week. As you know, Australians are losing a lot of money to scams, $3… Read more »

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Media Releases
Banks remind customers to remain vigilant to threat of scammers this Scams Awareness Week
26 August 2024

The ABA is reminding customers to remain vigilant to the tell-tale signs of scammers as Australian banks continue to ramp-up protections to help keep their money safe. ABA CEO Anna Bligh said this year’s theme ‘share a story, stop a scam’ was an opportunity for all Australians to support each other and fight back against… Read more »

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Transcript
Interview on ABC Perth about new scams campaign
12 August 2024

Jo Trilling (Host): When was the last time your phone pinged with a message from your bank, a fake one, of course, because they are rarely ever real, but they are relentless. So, should the banks be doing more to stop it? Anna Bligh is the CEO of the Australian Banking Association. Welcome to Drive… Read more »

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Transcript
Interview on 6PR about new scams campaign
12 August 2024

Oliver Peterson (Host): Extra protections from the banks to shield you from scams are going to be front and centre of a new campaign, which has been launched today by the Australian Banking Association. Joining me on the line is its CEO, Anna Bligh, good afternoon.  Anna Bligh (Guest): Good afternoon. How are you?  Oliver… Read more »

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Transcript
Interview on FiveAA about new scams campaign
12 August 2024

Matthew Pantelis (Host): But let’s talk scams and banks, because there’s a new campaign launched to protect us well, to at least educate us further about scams. It’s called ‘The Fight Against Scams Never Stops’. Anna Bligh, CEO, Australian Bankers Association. Anna, good morning. Anna Bligh (Guest): Good morning. How are you? Matthew Pantelis: All… Read more »

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Transcript
Interview on ABC Melbourne about new scams campaign
12 August 2024

Raf Epstein (Host): When was the last time your phone pinged and there was a message from your bank a fake one, of course, because they’re never real. Uh, but they come thick and fast. They are relentless. Should the banks be doing more to stop it? We are joined by Anna Bligh, CEO of… Read more »

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