Alerts

Find out about our latest scam alerts and what to do if you've received a suspicious SMS.

Phishing scams with fake links to Adelaide Bank e-banking log on page

August 2024

The Bank is currently aware of scammers targeting Bendigo and Adelaide Bank customers via email and text message scams.

The phishing scam states, ‘customers accounts has been suspended and to restore access by clicking on a link.’
This is an attempt to get customers to click on links sent via emails and SMS. The scammers are tricking customers into clicking on a link which takes them to a fake Adelaide Bank e-banking log on page.

Do not click the link in these emails and text messages.

What to look out for:

The email or text message requests urgent action from you.
The email or text message looks suspicious or is unfamiliar.
There is a link for you to click on.
There are spelling mistakes in the email or text message.
Emails or text messages are received from people or businesses you are not familiar with.

How to protect yourself:

Be cautious - remember: *if it sounds too good to be true it probably is*.
Do not click the link in these emails or text messages.
Do not open attachments in the emails.

Remember:

We will never ask you to login to Internet Banking via a link sent in an email.
Never click on a link if you feel uncomfortable or are not sure about an email.

If you have received a suspicious email you can forward it to phishing@bendigoadelaide.com.au for investigation.

Investment scams

July 2024

Australians are currently losing more money to investment scams than any other type, and they aren’t the easiest scam to spot.

Scammers will use convincing marketing and technology to make their investment opportunity seem legitimate, and most importantly an offer too good to miss out on. Common themes are the promise of big payouts with minimal risk, interest rates that will come across as ‘too good to be true’ and they will often us pressure tactics to make you act fast.

What to look out for:

Unsolicited (cold call) offers promoting easy and early access to
superannuation or other investments;
Pressure to make an investment, quickly, and not tell anyone else;
Over the top promises and celebrity endorsements;
Detailed documentation may look real.

How to protect yourself:

Be cautious - remember: *if it sounds too good to be true it probably is*.
Be suspicious of celebrity endorsement advertisements or stories.
Don’t be pressured into making an investment when the opportunity has come out of the blue.
Watch out for offers promoting easy access to your preserved superannuation benefits. If super is accessed illegally, you may face prosecution.
Before investing, do your own research and check if the company has an Australian Financial Services (AFS) Licence by visiting www.moneysmart.gov.au.
Get independent advice from a registered ASIC advisor.

Remember:

Remind yourself to stop, think and protect before making any decisions to invest your money.

Tax scams

June 2024

Tax time scams are generally impersonation scams that happen around the end of the financial year. People are primed to receive communications from the ATO, MyGov and their accountants, and are expecting to be notified of lodgements and potential refunds.

Scammers will impersonate the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) by contacting you via phone, email, SMS text message, or even social media. In these communications, they will try to access your personal information like your MyGov login credentials or bank card details.

How to spot a tax time scam

The most common red flag for tax time scams is any contact claiming to be from the ATO. You may receive calls, texts, emails or messages asking you to click a link to claim your tax refund, or threatening you to make payments or transfers quickly.

Here’s what to look out for:

Any messages or emails claiming to be from the ATO that contain a link;
Inbound calls claiming to be from the ATO that are threatening, demanding, or that involve a prerecorded message;
Any unusual activity in your MyGov account;
Social media messages from ATO officials;
Any request for your bank card details.

Remember:

Staying safe from tax time scams is all about being vigilant and knowing what to look out for. Remind yourself to stop, think, and protect.