Scams and fraud.
- A scam is when somebody deceives you to steal your money or personal details.
- Fraud is when someone accesses your funds or steals your details without your knowledge or authority.
- Scams and fraud are very common. In 2023-24, over 675,000 Australians were impacted by a scam or fraud^.
Think you've been scammed?
Contact us on 13 25 85 or visit your local branch immediately.
Signs to look out for.
While it can be very hard to spot a scam or fraud, there are certain behaviours that might signal something is off.
Scammers and fraudsters will often:
- Play on your emotions. Cyber criminals try to use your good nature against you. They may tell you sad and tragic stories, then ask you to send them money saying that it’s for things like medical bills and rent but is really for funding criminal activity. Always be careful when someone is asking for money, even if it sounds like a good cause, and never ever give more money than you are prepared to lose.
- Pressure you to act quickly. Scammers and fraudsters don’t want to give you time to think things through or talk to people you trust. They might tell you that something bad will happen if you don’t act immediately or say that an incredible deal, offer, or opportunity will disappear if you don’t commit now. (Remember: if something is too good to be true, it probably is!).
- Try to confuse you. They might try to convince you that nothing is out of the ordinary and what they are doing is standard practice. This could look like calling up and requesting remote access to your computer, deliberately using confusing and complex language in order to overwhelm you, or claiming you won a lottery or competition you never entered.
- Gain your trust – and then threaten you. Manipulation is a key tool for scammers and fraudsters. They may start off friendly but then bully, rush, or threaten you to send money or assets.
Beyond Bank will never:
- call and ask you to transfer funds to another account or bank
- contact you to ask for any account or personal details in an unsolicited text or email
- ask for online banking passcodes or passwords over email, text or phone
- ask for remote access to your devices
- threaten you to take immediate action on an issue.
Top contact methods.
There are many ways scammers and fraudsters might try to contact you. According to official Scamwatch data, the most common methods in Australia for 2024 were: email, text message, and phone calls.
Devices
Text messages
Phone call
Common scams.
The scammer contacts you via email, phone, or text message and tricks you into giving them sensitive information like usernames, passwords, or card details by impersonating someone you trust, often a government agency or your bank.
These scammers take their time and form a relationship with you in an attempt to extract gifts or money. They are often located overseas or in a location far from you. When asking for money, they will usually say it’s to help with an illness, injury, family crisis, or emergency that doesn’t exist.
The scammer contacts you and claims to be a finance professional like a stockbroker or portfolio manager. They’ll offer you a risk-free investment opportunity with a guaranteed return that sounds too good to pass up. For example, invest $100,000 and receive a $300,000 return.
Scammers pretend to be online shops, either with a fake website or a fake ad on a genuine retail site, or set up an account on community buying and selling platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree.
They offer products and services at prices that are too good to be true, often requesting unusual payment methods such as upfront payment via money order, wire transfer, international funds transfer, or gift cards.
Scammers will pose as a family member, often using the greeting line “Hi Mum/Dad”, and claim to have a new phone or problem they need help with before requesting money.
You are told that you have an inheritance from a relative (generally overseas) but to access the inheritance you must send a sum of money.
Some scammers will ask you for a payment using gift cards, making it hard to trace if you end up reporting the scam later.
Common fraud.
You receive a text or email that appears legitimate but when you click on the link, it installs malicious software that gives the fraudster access to your computer, phone, or tablet – sometimes without your knowledge.
Mail from banks, utility companies, and other organisations often includes important financial and personal information. If stolen, criminals may use it for identity fraud. It’s important to make sure your mailbox is secured and that you tell your bank and utility providers when you move address. You can update your details via Internet Banking or at a branch
A criminal uses your identity or personal information to access your accounts, apply for credit, or open accounts in your name, which they may then use to commit financial crime.
The fraudster installs a skimming device on an ATM or EFTPOS machine that collects private data stored on your card’s magnetic strip.
Test your scam sense!
Our friends at Scamwatch have created a 4-minute quiz to test your knowledge on scams and fraud.
Report suspicious activity.
If you’ve received a suspicious message from someone claiming to be from Beyond Bank, do not reply or click on any links. Report it to us immediately and then delete the message straight after.
Visit the security hub.
When it comes to protection against scams and fraud, knowledge is power. We have a range of free resources and insights available to help you identify and avoid cybercriminals, keeping you and your community safe. Go to security hub
How we protect you
Our specially trained teams and technology are constantly on the lookout for fraud, scams, and cybercrime.
Find out more
Latest scam and security alerts
Stay aware of the latest scams and fraud targeting Beyond Bank customers.
Stay informed
Account safety tips
Things you can do to make it harder for scammers to target you and your loved ones.
Account security tipsRemember - Stop, Check, Protect.
Three simple steps to keep us all safe from scams.
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Stop.
If a call, email, or text feels wrong – stop and take a breath. A genuine organisation wouldn’t pressure you to act immediately. If you’re not sure, say ‘no’, hang up, or delete. -
Check.
Do you know who you are talking to? Verify the details first and only contact organisations using contact information that you find yourself from their official website or app. -
Protect.
Act quickly and contact your bank if you notice unusual activity or if a scammer gets your money or information. Report it to Scamwatch and help keep others safe.