How to spot a scam
If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Scams are attempts by individuals or groups to purposefully mislead you and get your money.
Anyone, including you, can fall victim to a scam. That’s because scammers don’t discriminate and target people of any gender, age group or socio-economic background.
It's important to know what you're looking for if you become the target of a scam.
Look for the red flags
- Do you know the person contacting you?
- Have you been asked to receive and send money on behalf of a third party?
- Do you know the person you are sending money to?
- Do you understand why you are sending money?
- Have you been asked to send money for a transaction you haven’t made?
- Have you been asked to grant remote access to your device?
- Have you been asked to pay via an unusual payment method, such as Bitcoin or gift cards?
A scam may also involve someone calling you and requesting your account information or personal details. Be very careful about sharing your Access PIN, card PIN or account details on the phone or via email or SMS. ANZ Plus will never ask you to disclose this information via email, SMS or on the phone.
Scammers often target people using information obtained via social media. Please be mindful of what you share online.
If you feel you've been the victim of a scam, or have shared any personal information with a scammer, please send us a message right away.
To learn more about the signs of a scam or ways to protect yourself from fraud, please visit:
- Scamwatch, a website run by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC), providing information to consumers and small businesses about recognising, avoiding and reporting scams.
- ID Care connects the community to their experienced Identity & Cyber Security Counsellors who offer advice on responding to data breaches, scams, identity theft and cyber security concerns.
- Australian Cyber Security Centre offers advice and information on protecting yourself and your business online.