What are impersonation scams
Scammers impersonate people or businesses you trust in order to steal your money or personal information. They often contact you with a sense of urgency, hoping to catch you off guard.
They may come through as:
- Businesses: like banks, ATO, Telstra, or Amazon.
- Friends or family: they use technology to make their emails, texts, or calls appear to come from someone you know.
And are becoming increasingly sophisticated and harder to identify.
Who are you talking to?
We are aware of a recent email phishing campaign that targeted Bendigo Bank customers. The message claimed to be from Bendigo Bank and included a website link that if clicked, led to a fake Bendigo Bank website asking you to login to e-banking.
Don't.
We will never ask you to click on a link in an email (or SMS text message) to login to e-banking.
Sometimes an SMS alert is also sent prior to a 'cold call scam' that seemingly looks like it is Bendigo Bank.
How to protect yourself
- Take a minute and remain calm: consider what you’ve learned about different kinds of scams, then ask yourself ‘who’s really there?'.
- The Bank will never ask you to transfer / pay money into another ‘safe’ bank account.
- Never provide your password or PIN to anyone, even if they are claiming to be from Bendigo Bank and have personal information about you.
- Check that the message is real by contacting the person or organisation directly using details you find yourself (e.g. official website).
- Install anti-virus software on your computer/device to help detect suspect websites being accessed by your computer or device.
- Always access the official website or mobile app directly, never via a link.
- Don’t open or download any attachments or apps.
- Don’t click on links in text messages or emails - we will never send a link in an SMS.
- Look out for changes in caller IDs - this could include unfamiliar numbers, special characters, or calls from different locations.
Let us know ASAP if you think you have been the victim of a scam
If you need help or more information
Phone
If you have clicked on any suspicious links and entered your e-banking details:
Call 1300 236 344 (in Australia) or +61 3 5445 0666 (from overseas - standard international call charges apply)
Monday to Friday - 8am to 9pm AEST/AEDT*
Weekends (Saturday and Sunday) and some public holidays - 9am to 8pm AEST/AEDT
*Excludes Christmas Day
SMS
If you have received a suspicious SMS message claiming to be from us, you can forward it to 0429 557 997 for investigation.
Please note you will not receive a personal response from 0429 557 997.
If you have received any suspicious emails, you can forward them to us via email.
Please note you will not receive a personal email response from us.