Latest Scams & Alerts
Latest scams and alerts
We're working all the time to better safeguard your financial and personal information.
To help better protect you against scams, this page will provide information on some of the scams around at the moment.
November 2023 - SMS Scams
Be alert to unexpected scam messages.
This scam SMS claims to be associated with the telco network outage on the 08/11/2023. Scammers often attempt to take advantage of widespread outages, natural disasters and other topical situations to steal your personal and financial information.
Be aware - If you click the link in this SMS, you will be taken to a phishing website which attempts to steal your personal and banking information.
Please be alert to this and always use genuine apps or websites to validate the information being provided. Remember, never sign in to your online banking via a link received in an email or SMS.
Remember - If you have received an email, SMS or other request that you have identified as potentially fraudulent or a scam account, it’s always a good idea to report this through to us, before deleting it from your inbox and deleted items or your device.
Forward a copy to hoax@westpac.com.au or 0497 132 032.
October 2023 - SMS Scams
Be alert to unexpected messages posing as Westpac.
This scam SMS claims your access has been revoked. Scammers often use genuine information about an organisation to create some legitimacy in their messages, but make small changes to links or phone numbers to avoid recipients identifying the scam.
Be aware - The phone number in this SMS is for Westpac, however the link will not take you to a Westpac website. Never use a link received in an email or to sign into your banking. Always type westpac.com.au into your browser, or use the App, to securely access your banking.
Remember - If you have received an email, SMS or other request that you have identified as potentially fraudulent or a scam account, it’s always a good idea to report this through to us, before deleting it from your inbox and deleted items or your device.
Forward a copy to hoax@westpac.com.au or 0497 132 032.
September 2023 - Scam Awareness Warning
Scammers targeting seniors with fake seniors discount card.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's (ACCC) are warning Australians to beware of fake websites offering a seniors discount card.
These fake/phishing websites pretend to be officially approved providers, stating you can get membership by paying an application fee. Or you may get a phone call from someone offering you a seniors discount card, but requesting payment. You should always ask yourself if a caller could be fake.
There is no fee to apply for a seniors card.
The ACCC reminds Australians to "never click links in messages to log onto Government online services" and remember there is no fee for apply for a seniors card.
August 2023 - SMS Scams
Be alert to unexpected SMS Code change messages.
This scam SMS claims your Westpac Protect SMS Code has changed. Scammers often use genuine wording from organisations in an attempt to appear legitimate, but make small changes to links or phone numbers to avoid recipients identifying the scam.
Be aware - If you call the number in this message, you will not be speaking with Westpac. It will be a scammer. They are likely to request your personal or banking information. Do not provide any of this information. Just hang up.
Never share any Online Banking Security Codes with a third party, not even callers who claim to be Westpac. We will never ask you for this information.
Remember - If you have received an email, SMS or other request that you have identified as potentially fraudulent or a scam account, it’s always a good idea to report this through to us, before deleting it from your inbox and deleted items or your device.
Forward a copy to hoax@westpac.com.au or 0497 132 032.
June 2023 - Tax Time Impersonation Scams
Be alert to SMS scams posing as the ATO or MyGov
During tax time scammers often impersonate well known organisations like the ATO or MyGov to gain access to your personal, financial and banking information.
When receiving an SMS that claims to be from a government department, stop and consider what the request is asking you to do, particularly those that have urgent or financial consequences. Always use genuine apps or websites to confirm if you have received a communication through these methods, or validate the query using a trusted phone number.
Do not click any links within the SMS.
To report scams posing as the ATO, visit the ATO's verify or report a scam page.
To report scams posing as MyGov, visit the MyGov scams page.
If you have received an email, SMS or other request that you have identified as potentially fraudulent or a scam account, it’s always a good idea to report this through to us, before deleting it from your inbox and deleted items or your device.
Forward a copy to hoax@westpac.com.au or 0497 132 032.
June 2023 - Fake Receipt Scam
Email Subject Line: EFT Payment was made to your account
This scam email claims to be a receipt from a Westpac customer, stating you've received a payment.
The email requests that you download a file to view the details, however if you click the link, you will be taken to a phishing website. The fraudulent website requests your personal and banking information.
Do not click on the attachment in this email.
If you have received an email, SMS or other request that you have identified as potentially fraudulent or a scam account, it’s always a good idea to report this through to us, before deleting it from your inbox and deleted items or your device.
Forward a copy to hoax@westpac.com.au or 0497 132 032.
April 2023 - PayID Scam
Be alert to PayID Scams when selling items online
Using PayID is a safe and easy way to send and receive funds.
After a conversation with a potential buyer through an Online Marketplace, such as Facebook or Gumtree, you're advised that you need to upgrade your PayID to a business account for you to receive the payment.
These scam emails state your account has been upgraded to a business account and you need to refund a deposit that has been credited to your account.
Do not act on these emails and report the buyer/seller profile to the marketplace as a potential scam.
Reminder - PayID's are managed within your banking app. A PayID does not need to be upgraded or activated by making payments. For more information on how PayID's work and how you can set up a Westpac registered PayID, visit westpac.com.au/payid.
Also, when selling items online, never provide the buyer with the item until you can see the funds in your account, within your own online or mobile banking. Never rely on a receipt or screenshot of a payment sent to you. Receipts can be falsified by scammers to appear as if they have made payment, when they have not.
If you have received an email, SMS or other request that you have identified as potentially fraudulent or which you think involves a scam account, it's always a good idea to report these through to us, before deleting it from your inbox or deleted items on your device.
Forward a copy to hoax@westpac.com.au or 0497 132 032.
March 2023 - LinkT Scams
Be alert to fake messages requesting toll payments
This SMS scam claims to be from Linkt, stating you have unpaid toll fees.
Linkt advise if you have received a communication from someone claiming to be Linkt and it appears to be suspicious, delete it and do not click on any links.
You can visit the Linkt website to report Linkt SMS scams.
Jan 2023 - Investment Scams
Be alert to fake websites posing as legitimate investment companies
Scammers often impersonate well known financial service companies to gain your trust and confidence when looking for your next investment opportunity. Scammers commonly use legitimate company information to create professional looking websites or documentation, even registering similar domain names.
Often scam websites provide 'advisors' who are readily available to guide you through financial choices to lure you into investing. The advisors remain your point of contact and provide you new or exclusive offers as your "portfolio" increases.
We've been made aware of scammers falsely claiming to represent, or have an affiliation with Magnitude (a subsidary of Westpac/BT), where emails are received from domain names that appear consistent with a potential genuine email. Please be aware from 30 September 2019, we no longer provide personal financial advice through the authorised representatives of Securitor and Magnitude. For more information on the product offerings BT provides visit bt.com.au.
For more information on investment scams, check out our recent article on "how to invest safely" or our partner IDCare's Investment Scam fact sheet.
Jan 2023 - Scam SMS
Be alert to unexpected purchase messages
This scam SMS claims to contain a security code required to complete a purchase. It indicates you should call the number provided if you did not make the transaction.
Be aware - If you call the number on this message, you will not be speaking with Westpac. It will be a scammer. They are likely to request your personal or banking information. Do not provide any of this information. Just hang up.
Scammers use the sender name of "Westpac" to try and convince you this is a trusted message, as your phone will automatically group this scam SMS in with legitimate messages sent from Westpac.
Remember - If you have received an email, SMS or other request that you have identified as potentially fraudulent or a scam account, it’s always a good idea to report this through to us, before deleting it from your inbox and deleted items or your device.
Forward a copy to hoax@westpac.com.au or 0497 132 032.
Jan 2023 - Scam SMS
Be alert to messages claiming to be from Westpac
This scam SMS states a standing order has been stopped for security reasons and to await for a call from an advisor.
Be aware - If you receive a call in regards to this message, it will not be from Westpac. It will be a scammer. They are likely to request your personal or banking information. Do not provide callers with any of this information. Just hang up.
Scammers use the sender name of "Westpac" to try and convince you this is a trusted message, as your phone will automatically group this scam SMS in with legitimate messages sent from Westpac.
Remember - If you have received an email, SMS or other request that you have identified as potentially fraudulent or a scam account, it’s always a good idea to report this through to us, before deleting it from your inbox and deleted items or your device.
Forward a copy to hoax@westpac.com.au or 0497 132 032.
Jan 2023 - Scam email
Online Marketplace sellers requested to upgrade their PayID
After a conversation with a potential buyer through an Online Marketplace, such as Facebook or Gumtree, you're advised that you need to upgrade your PayID to a premium account for you to receive the payment.
These scam emails state your account has been upgraded to a premium account and you've received a bonus payment, that needs to be sent to another account.
Do not act on these emails and report the buyer/seller profile to the marketplace as a potential scam.
Reminder - PayID's are managed within your banking app. A PayID does not need to make be upgraded, or activated by making payments. For more information on how PayID's work and how you can set up a Westpac registered PayID, visit westpac.com.au/payid
Also, when selling items online, never provide the buyer with the item until you can see the funds in your account, within your own online or mobile banking. Never rely on a receipt or screenshot of a payment sent to you. Receipts can be falsified by scammers to appear as if they have made payment, when they have not.
If you have received an email, SMS or other request that you have identified as potentially fraudulent or which you think involves a scam account, it's always a good idea to report these through to us, before deleting it from your inbox or deleted items on your device.
Forward a copy to hoax@westpac.com.au or 0497 132 032.
