Impersonation scams are one of the most common ways people are scammed out of their money and personal information, accounting for 72.5% of scams reported to the National Anti-scam Centre in 2023.
These scams happen when someone fakes being from a trusted organisation like your bank, a friend, or family to steal your money or personal information. They can reach you on a variety of channels including text message, websites, social media, email, and phone calls – pretty much anywhere. It's a cunning way to target unsuspecting people, so spotting the signs is crucial.
Keep your guard up! Here are some key signs of an impersonation scam:
- Getting a message urging you to click a link for your username, password, or personal info.
- URGENT requests for personal details or money.
- A supposedly legitimate organisation claiming an unauthorised transaction or asking you to confirm a payment you didn't make.
- A business wanting you to use a different bank account than usual.
- Someone from a government or law enforcement agency threatening arrest, deportation, or demanding money.
- Being asked to transfer money for 'safety' or 'further investigation.'
- Deals, investments, or job offers that seem too good to be true.
In today's world, knowing how to dodge these scams is crucial. Simple moves like not clicking on links in texts or not downloading random attachments can be the game-changer in avoiding scams.
Stay sharp, and don't blindly trust whoever you're dealing with – always verify their details before sharing your information or transferring money, even if that means you hang up and call back using a phone number your familiar with e.g. 1800 or 1300 number. You can’t be too cautious.
‘Before we continue, can you send a Verify Defence Bank secure message?’
At Defence Bank we have introduced a new verification process called ‘Verify Defence Bank’.
If someone claims to be from Defence Bank, ask them to send a 'Verify Defence Bank secure message to my Defence Bank app or online banking.' If the caller is genuine, they will confirm their identity by sending a secure message through the Defence Bank app or online banking. If they don’t, or make excuses, or send a text message to your phone instead, they're a scammer – hang up!
Learn more about Verify Defence Bank.
For more information on ways you can keep yourself safe, read our blog articles or visit the Scamwatch website.
Important note: This information is of a general nature and is not intended to be relied on by you as advice in any particular matter. You should contact us at Defence Bank to discuss how this information may apply to your circumstances.
