Fraud warnings for all Auswide Bank customers
The last couple of decades have seen huge changes in how we do our banking. Unfortunately, fraudsters and scammers are out there, often taking advantage of new technology, to generate a number of potentially very costly scams.
These scams aim to steal your account information and your money or, in some extreme cases, steal your identity.
Like other banks, Auswide Bank customers are not immune to these risks. Scammers use clever tactics. Phone calls, emails or SMS can look or sound like they are coming from Auswide Bank. There are often ways you can protect yourself so that you don't lose out.
Our website contains useful information about:
For further information and advice about banking and online scams please refer to the Australian Securities & Investment Commission MoneySmart or Australian Competition & Consumer Commission SCAMwatch websites.
Please report any suspicious phone calls, emails or text messages to contactcentre@auswidebank.com.au. If you have responded to a suspicious phone call, email or text message such as giving out your account details, please contact your local branch or call 1300 138 831 as soon as possible.
Recent scam alerts
Scam alert - Unsolicited email from 'Auswide Bank'
We are aware that online criminals claiming to be from Auswide Bank are sending emails to customers advising their Internet Banking Personal Access Code and SMS Secure profile has been suspended and requesting for it to be 'unlocked'.
The email has a link which may contain a malicious virus or try to trick you into disclosing your personal or account information. Please be aware that these particular type of emails are not from Auswide Bank and ensure you do not click on any link or attachment. Auswide Bank recommends that you maintain an up-to-date antivirus software on your computer as this may prevent you being infected.
-----Original Message-----
From: Auswide Bank Ltd
Sent: Wednesday, 14 June 2017 10:34
To: Recipients
Subject: Internet Banking SMS Secure
Dear customer,
Your Personal Access Code and Internet Banking SMS Secure profile has been suspended for your security.
To unlock your profile follow this simple step by clicking here. 
Auswide Bank Ltd.
Here's what to do if you are affected:
- If you receive such an email from Auswide Bank and you have any doubts at all about its origin or authenticity please contact an Auswide Bank branch, email Auswide Bank on contactcentre@auswidebank.com.au or phone us on 1300 138 831 as soon as possible to confirm whether the call, email or SMS is legitimate. Do not call another phone number or respond to an email which the scammer may give you as that may also be a trick.
- If you receive an email like the one above or another similar email, please delete it immediately without opening it.
Please report any suspicious phone calls, emails or text messages to contactcentre@auswidebank.com.au so we can alert other customers.
If you have responded to a suspicious phone call, email or text message such as giving our your account or online log-in details, please contact an Auswide Bank branch or call 1300 138 831 as soon as possible.
Scam alert - Unsolicited email from 'BPAY'
We are aware that online criminals claiming to be from BPAY are sending emails to customers. The emails are being sent from 'service@bpayemail.com.au' with the subject heading 'BPAY Deposit Instructions' including an attachment.
Please be aware that these particular emails are not from BPAY and ensure you do not click on any link or attachment. Please immediately delete the email from your inbox. Auswide Bank recommends that you maintain an up-to-date antivirus software on your computer as this may prevent you being infected.
Here's what to do if you are affected:
- If you receive such an email and you have any doubts at all about its origin or authenticity please contact an Auswide Bank branch, email Auswide Bank on contactcentre@auswidebank.com.au or phone us on 1300 138 831 as soon as possible to confirm whether the call, email or SMS is legitimate. Do not call another phone number or respond to an email which the scammer may give you as that may also be a trick.
Please report any suspicious phone calls, emails or text messages to contactcentre@auswidebank.com.au so we can alert other customers.
If you have responded to a suspicious phone call, email or text message such as giving our your account or online log-in details, please contact an Auswide Bank branch or call 1300 138 831 as soon as possible.
Scam alert - Unsolicited SMS from 'Auswide'
We are aware that criminals claiming to be from 'Auswide' are sending SMS messages in relation to making money.
The SMS has a link which may contain a malicious virus or try to trick the person into disclosing their personal information. Please be aware that these particular type of SMS are not from Auswide Bank and ensure you do not click on any link or attachment. Auswide Bank recommends that you maintain an up-to-date antivirus software on your computer as this may prevent you being infected.
A screen shot of such an SMS is shown below.
Here's what to do if you are affected:
- If you receive a text from Auswide/Auswide Bank and you have any doubts at all about its origin or authenticity please contact an Auswide Bank branch, email Auswide Bank on contactcentre@auswidebank.com.au or phone us on 1300 138 831 as soon as possible to confirm whether the call, email or SMS is legitimate. Do not call another phone number or respond to an email which the scammer may give you as that may also be a trick.
Please report any suspicious phone calls, emails or text messages to contactcentre@auswidebank.com.au so we can alert other customers.
If you have responded to a suspicious phone call, email or text message such as giving our your account or online log-in details, please contact an Auswide Bank branch or call 1300 138 831 as soon as possible.
Scam alert - Unsolicited email from 'Auswide Bank'
We are aware that online criminals claiming to be from Auswide Bank are sending emails advising their personal data has been disrupted and requesting verification.
The email has a link which may contain a malicious virus or try to trick the person into disclosing their personal information. Please be aware that these particular type of emails are not from Auswide Bank and ensure you do not click on any link or attachment. Auswide Bank recommends that you maintain an up-to-date antivirus software on your computer as this may prevent you being infected.
From: Auswide Bank [mailto:information@financialpost.com]
Sent: Tuesday, 25 October 2016 9:19 AM
To: Recipients
Subject: Important Information
Dear Customer
Your personal data has been disrupted and needs to be verified.
Click here to get started now
System Maintenance
Auswide Online
Here's what to do if you are affected:
- If you receive such an email from Auswide Bank/Wide Bay Australia and you have any doubts at all about its origin or authenticity please contact an Auswide Bank branch, email Auswide Bank on contactcentre@auswidebank.com.au or phone us on 1300 138 831 as soon as possible to confirm whether the call, email or SMS is legitimate. Do not call another phone number or respond to an email which the scammer may give you as that may also be a trick.
Please report any suspicious phone calls, emails or text messages to contactcentre@auswidebank.com.au so we can alert other customers.
If you have responded to a suspicious phone call, email or text message such as giving our your account or online log-in details, please contact an Auswide Bank branch or call 1300 138 831 as soon as possible.
Scam alert - Unsolicited email from ‘Wide Bay Australia’ or ‘Auswide Bank’ with a malicious virus attached
We are aware that online criminals claiming to be from Wide Bay Australia (Auswide Bank’s former name) are contacting people by email, advising of outstanding invoices which require payment. The email may have a link or attachment which may contact a malicious virus which could severely damage your computer. Please be aware that these particular type of emails are not from Auswide Bank and ensure you do not click on any link or attachment. Auswide Bank recommends that you maintain an up-to-date antivirus software on your computer as this may prevent you being infected.
A screen shot of such an email, including a picture of an attachment, is shown below.
Here's what to do if you are affected:
- If you receive such an email from Auswide Bank/Wide Bay Australia and you have any doubts at all about its origin or authenticity please contact an Auswide Bank branch, email Auswide Bank on contactcentre@auswidebank.com.au or phone us on 1300 138 831 as soon as possible to confirm whether the call, email or SMS is legitimate. Do not call another phone number or respond to an email which the scammer may give you as that may also be a trick.
Please report any suspicious phone calls, emails or text messages to contactcentre@auswidebank.com.au so we can alert other customers.
If you have responded to a suspicious phone call, email or text message such as giving our your account or online log-in details, please contact an Auswide Bank branch or call 1300 138 831 as soon as possible.
Scam alert – Internet Banking 'Shadow' Scam
Auswide Bank is aware of telephone scammers targeting internet banking customers from time to time.
Fraudsters claiming to be from Telstra, or similar companies providing internet services, are contacting people by phone in relation to their internet security.
The caller may trick you by asking you to log into your internet banking while also seeking permission to 'shadow' your computer system, thus revealing your account numbers and other personal information. Permission to 'shadow' would normally be through an invitation to click on a link or visit a website.
Here's what to do if you are affected:
- If you receive such a phone call do not respond to a request from a third party to 'shadow' your internet banking session and terminate the call.
Please report any suspicious phone calls, emails or text messages to contactcentre@auswidebank.com.au so we can alert other customers.
If you have responded to a suspicious phone call, email or text message such as giving our your account or online log-in details, or allowing a person to 'shadow' your computer, please contact an Auswide Bank branch or call 1300 138 831 as soon as possible.
Scam alert - Fake surveys from callers saying they represent the Australian Bankers' Association (Phone Scam)
Auswide Bank is aware of telephone scammers targeting Auswide Bank customers saying they are from the Australian Bankers' Association.
The Australian Bankers' Association (ABA) also recently issued an alert about this scam and has warned the public not to respond to telephone surveys where the caller falsely claims to be from the ABA.
Steven Münchenberg, Chief Executive of the ABA, said, "We continue to receive multiple calls every day from upset members of the public who have received 'cold calls' asking about their satisfaction with their bank. In one case, a scammer relayed personal details that should only have been known to the recipient of the call. This is an alarming reminder of the importance to protect your personal and financial information, particularly with how you share it online, he said. Callers are targeting households at random around Australia claiming to be from the Australian Bankers' Association, or a variation of the name. This is a scam to try and defraud customers by convincing them to send money or to provide identity information. If you receive a call like this do not give out any information and simply hang up. Sometimes the caller will say you are owed money. A bank would not request you pick up money from a post office or money transfer outlet."
Be on guard – if you receive a phone call from someone saying they are from the Australian Bankers' Association or a similar banking body and they then ask you for your personal or banking details, hang up – the person on the other end may be a scammer.
Here's what to do to protect yourself:
- If you receive a phone call or email out of the blue from someone claiming to be from the Australian Banker's Association or a similar banking body and they ask for personal or banking details, hang up.
- If you have any doubts about the identity of any caller who claims to represent a business, organisation or government department, contact the body directly. Don't rely on numbers, email addresses or websites provided by the caller – find them through an independent source such as a phone book or online search.
- Never give your personal, bank account, credit card or online account details over the phone unless you made the call and the phone number came from a trusted source. If you think you have provided your account details to a scammer, contact Auswide Bank immediately.
- You can report a scam to the ACCC via the SCAMwatch or by calling 1300 795 995.
- If the scammer has posed as the Australian Banker's Association or a similar banking body, you should also report the incident to them.
Please report any suspicious phone calls, emails or text messages to contactcentre@auswidebank.com.au so we can alert other customers.
If you have responded to a suspicious phone call, email or text message such as giving our your account or online log-in details, please contact an Auswide Bank branch or call 1300 138 831 as soon as possible.
Scam alert - Fake Auswide Bank fee rebates from the government (Phone Scam)
Auswide Bank is aware of telephone scammers targeting Auswide Bank customers promising rebates on bank account fees and charges.
Fraudsters claiming to be from a government department/agency or a lawyer representing a government department/agency are phoning claiming the customer is owed money and they will promise to recover it for them.
In one example, an Auswide Bank customer received a call from a person saying the federal government had hired a lawyer in relation to overcharging fees for people on a disability or pension and he was promised a cheque for $7268 - however would need to go to the post office & ask for a Western Union money order form and call the scammer back to obtain the lawyer's name & address after sending a payment of $238.
The ACCC reports a spike in contacts in early 2015 about similar fake rebate schemes so are warning people to be aware of calls from a fake government department claiming you are owed money.
The ACCC advises scammers have been calling Australians offering them a cheque worth $7000 or more claiming to be from the 'Department of Finance' or other government organisation such as the 'Office of State Revenue'. The scammer will demand an upfront payment and various pieces of personal information before the money can be provided. However, there is no money and no connection with any state or commonwealth department.
The scammers may spin a range of stories about why you are owed money to make their story sound real! They might claim that there is money due because of a bank fee rebate, a tax refund, one-off payment, investment return or even a bonus. Whatever the story, these scams seem to involve some government department or organisation claiming you are owed money but you need to pay a fee in order to collect it.
Scammers typically ask for money to be sent via a wire transfer or telegraphic transfer as it's nearly impossible to recover money sent to a scammer this way. They may also ask for your financial and other personal details to access your money and use this information to commit other scams.
How these scams can work
- You receive a call out of the blue from someone claiming to be from a government department.
- The caller or sender will claim that you are owed money for some reason.
- In order to receive the refund/payment you have to pay an administration fee or other fee upfront.
- The caller may tell you that you need to contact their supervisor with a reference number that they provide you in order to make the payment or they might ask you to pay straight away.
- Alternatively, you may be asked to provide your bank account details or other personal information so they can deposit the refund in your account.
- If you send any money via wire transfer/telegraphic transfer to a scammer, you will never see it again – it's nearly impossible to recover money sent this way. You will also never receive the promised rebate or refund.
- If you provide your bank account details or other personal information, the scammer may use it to commit identity theft or to steal your money.
Be on guard – if you receive a phone call from someone saying you are owed money and they then ask you for your personal or banking details or to pay a fee, hang up – the person on the other end may be a scammer. If in doubt, look up the government department or organisation yourself and phone them.
Here's what to do to protect yourself:
- If you receive a phone call or email out of the blue from someone claiming to be from a government department and they claim that you are entitled to money, hang up.
- If you have any doubts about the identity of any caller who claims to represent a business, organisation or government department, contact the body directly. Don't rely on numbers, email addresses or websites provided by the caller – find them through an independent source such as a phone book or online search.
- Never give your personal, bank account, credit card or online account details over the phone unless you made the call and the phone number came from a trusted source. If you think you have provided your account details to a scammer, contact Auswide Bank immediately.
- You can report a scam to the ACCC via the SCAMwatch or by calling 1300 795 995.
- If the scammer has posed as a legitimate government department or company, you should also report the incident to them.
Please report any suspicious phone calls, emails or text messages to contactcentre@auswidebank.com.au so we can alert other customers.
If you have responded to a suspicious phone call, email or text message such as giving our your account or online log-in details, please contact an Auswide Bank branch or call 1300 138 831 as soon as possible.
Scam alert - Unsolicited Phone Call from Auswide Bank (Phone Scam)
Auswide Bank is aware of telephone scammers targeting Auswide Bank customers from time to time asking for their banking and personal details.
Fraudsters claiming to be from Auswide Bank are contacting people by phone, asking for customer account numbers and other personal information.
The caller may trick you into providing information such as your account or customer number or your account login or internet banking password details. In some cases, the caller may trick you by quoting information they have been able to obtain such as a card number they have obtained from a recent purchase you may have used using your Auswide Bank card or stolen mail.
While Auswide Bank may call you, send you emails or SMS you from time to time without your expectation, we will not ask you for your full account or customer number, your account login, banking password or PIN details.
Customers are advised not to provide this type of information in response to unsolicited phone calls, emails or SMS.
Here's what to do if you are affected:
- If you receive such a phone call, email or SMS message from Auswide Bank and you have any doubts at all about its origin or authenticity please contact an Auswide Bank branch, email Auswide Bank on contactcentre@auswidebank.com.au or phone us on 1300 138 831 as soon as possible to confirm whether the call, email or SMS is legitimate. Do not call another phone number which the scammer may give you as that may also be a trick.
- Please report any suspicious phone calls, emails or text messages to contactcentre@auswidebank.com.au so we can alert other customers.
- If you have responded to a suspicious phone call, email or text message such as giving our your account or online log-in details, please contact an Auswide Bank branch or call 1300 138 831 as soon as possible.
