Security

Online fraud

• Scams
• Malicious software (Malware), Spyware, Trojans
• Fake job advertisements

Scams

Email scams

It's good practice to familiarise yourself with the latest email scams. There are 3 simple questions you should ask to help spot a scam:

• Does it instruct you to click on a link, open an attachment or call a number?
• Does it ask for account information?
• Does the email have poor grammar and punctuation?

If you answered yes to any one of these questions be aware it may be a scam. Do not respond directly without verifying the legitimacy of the request either by checking the information on our website or calling 132 032. Remember, Westpac will never ask you to update, verify or correct your Online banking details directly into an email reply.

If you believe that your security has been compromised or you notice a transaction you did not make, contact us immediately on 132 032.

Here are the most recent hoax and trojan emails:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note: Never supply your SMS / Token code in response to an email.  

If you think you've receive an email scam, delete it immediately from your Inbox, your Deleted/Trash folder and your Sent folder (if you forwarded the email). If you are using a computer in an office/corporate environment it is good practice to inform your systems administrator of any suspicious emails.

If you have clicked on a link or opened an attachment in a suspicious email:

• Perform a scan for possible viruses or Trojans using your virus protection software
• If you do not have anti-virus software, we suggest you use one of the many free tools available online. See software protection for examples.

Note: do not use Westpac Online Banking until you have up-to-date security software on your computer.

Scams over the phone

Fraudsters don't only strike online. There's been an increase in hoax phone calls with callers claiming to be bank employees asking questions about a customer's account or personal details.

Be particularly vigilant to these types of scams if you have lost your wallet or have been the victim of a break-in.

If you have reason to doubt the validity of a caller, ask their name and phone number to call them back and check the number against the Westpac telephone directory. Do not provide any personal information.

Also be on the lookout for voice recorded messages that can dial automatically, and if you receive such a call asking for your customer number, passwords or access codes, simply hang up. 

SMS scams 

Your mobile can be a target for fraudsters too. If you receive any SMS message that you have not requested or are expecting and you are suspicious, please contact us on 132 032 to confirm the authenticity of the message.  

If you think you've received a scam via SMS, delete the message. If the messages become frequent and a nuisance contact your mobile number provider for further assistance.

Phishing

(Pronounced fishing) is the fraudulent process of attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.

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Malicious software (Malware), Spyware, Trojans

Malware is malicious software inserted into a computer system for the purpose of causing harm, such as stealing personal and financial information.

Spyware

Spyware gathers information about a user and relays it to another party over the Internet. It can be as simple as advertisers using it to track your web-surfing preferences. Or as bad as fraudsters using it to monitor keystrokes, scan files and emails, and gather confidential data such as passwords.

In many cases, users unknowingly install spyware when they download freeware or shareware. In other instances, spyware programs are automatically installed when a user views emails or visits a certain web page. 

Trojans

Some trojan viruses contain software that can capture a user's keystrokes. You can be 'infected' merely by clicking on a link in an email or just by surfing the web. Help protect yourself from keystroke loggers by updating your security software and operating system.

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Fake job advertisements

Sometimes called ' mule recruiting', this is a rapidly growing scam. Fraudsters advertise on the Internet, in chat rooms or by email, enticing individuals to become money transfer agents. Individuals who participate in this type of activity are assisting the fraudsters by moving money (money laundering).
 
You should ask yourself the following questions about the so-called job offer:

• Why was no interview conducted for the job offer? 
• Why weren't you asked for a resume and other documents normally required for a job interview?
• Why would someone who you have never met entrust you with money?
• Why the need to transfer money via Australia when the 'employer' (the fraudster) is sometimes located in another country, for example Russia? 

These circumstances are highly unusual and should raise suspicion. So be wary of this type of scam - if the job advertisement looks too good to be true, then it usually is.

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