Latest Scams
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.
Dec 2022 - Scam email
Email Subject Line: Westpac Banking services disabled
This scam email, claiming to be from Westpac, states your account has been temporarily disabled.
The email requests that you click on a link to verify your 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 the link 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.
Dec 2022 - Scam email
Email Subject Line: You've got a money request
This scam email, claiming to be from PayPal, states you've been sent a money request.
PayPal's help guides advise users to remain vigilant and if you receive this type message, consider if you have requested payment through this method.
PayPal additionally recommends you don't click links in emails or SMS and never use the phone numbers contained in these types of requests to seek confirmation.
Always cancel any unwarranted invoices or money requests by visiting their genuine website or via the PayPal app. Just delete this message if you cannot see the request in your PayPal app or post signing into the PayPal website.
For more information on common scams impacting PayPal users, visit paypal.com
Dec 2022 - Scam SMS
Be alert to messages advising Westpac will call you
This scam SMS claims suspicious activity has been detected on your Mastercard. It advises a Westpac team member will call you to discuss the activity.
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.
Remember - When speaking with you, we will never request your Online Banking security codes or credit card expiry date/CVC numbers.
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.
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.
Nov 2022 - Scam SMS
Be alert to messages requesting you call Westpac
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.
Do not act on the instructions within this SMS.
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 - such as Online Banking security codes or your card number, expiry date and CVC. Do not provide any of this information. Sharing this information can result in transactions being performed.
Scammers use the sender name of "West-pac" (or other variations) to try and convince you this is a trusted message.
Remember - When speaking with you, we will never request your Online Banking security codes or credit card expiry date/CVC numbers.
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.
Nov 2022 - Scam SMS
Be alert to failed parcel delivery messages
Banks and Financial Institutions are not the only industries to be the target of email or SMS phishing. Stay on the lookout for parcel delivery failure notifications, or requests to click links to update your delivery address.
Scammers often impersonate well known delivery services, such as Australia Post, DHL, Amazon etc, often ‘spoofing’ or impersonating the sender names of these companies (as shown in the example image). Your phone will automatically group these scam SMS’s in with legitimate messages sent from these companies, making the messages appear credible.
Never click on links or enter/update details via SMS or email. Use the delivery/courier company's genuine app or website to track your package or perform changes.
If you receive any requests for credit card details, always contact the company directly - on their publicly listed contact number, via the company website (type the company’s website directly into your browser) or sign into their mobile app, to verify any claims.
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.
Oct 2022 - Scammers posing as "Mum" or "Dad" via SMS
Be alert to receiving messages claiming to be one of your parents
This SMS Scam starts by receiving a message from a sender name of "Dad" or "Mum", a common ploy scammers are currently using to establish your trust, in the hope you will action their request. Your mobile device may group this message into your conversation history, if the sender name and a stored contact match one another.
Wording may slightly vary, however should you receive a request to send money to a family member unexpectedly, always call them on their trusted number (one you've previously spoken to them on) to confirm the request.
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 on your device.
Forward a copy to hoax@westpac.com.au or 0497 132 032.
Sept 2022 - Optus Data Leak
Our fraud prevention and security teams are taking action to increase monitoring and where appropriate, applying tighter security measures. If you are concerned with activity in your banking, you should call our Customer Care team on 132 032.
How to protect yourself from scams & fraud
You can protect yourself through applying good security practices:
- Be particularly wary of scams delivered by SMS or phone calls – do not trust a caller because they have some of your personal information (e.g., name, address, date of birth) or appear to be calling from a trusted number. Hang up on the call (or ignore the SMS) and call the organisation on the trusted number listed on their company website.
- Ensure you have two-factor authentication activated (where available), most importantly with your mobile phone provider, financial institution and on your personal email and social media accounts.
- If you receive a message that your password has been changed for any account, this can be an early warning sign of something suspicious. Firstly, always verify that you can access the claimed site by typing the URL into your browser, or using the companies app – do not click on any links from an SMS or email.
- Watch for unexpected loss of mobile phone service – often shown as an “Emergency Calls Only” or “SOS Only” indication on your phone. If you see this, call your mobile provider immediately from another phone, to check your account hasn’t been accessed (i.e., to issue a replacement SIM card or to try to move your mobile number to another provider).
- Monitor your accounts for unexpected transactions, or new products being opened – if you see an unexpected transaction or account, call your bank immediately.
- Take our Security Wellbeing Check in the Westpac App to review your current security settings. Search Security Wellbeing Check in the App.
More tips on how to protect yourself are outlined on our Protect Yourself page.
Sept 2022 - Message posing as "New Account" SMS Scam
This SMS Scam states that your new Choice account has been activated, and that your new device is activated for the Westpac App and to click on a link for further information.
If you click on the link, you will be taken to a phishing website. The fraudulent website requests personal information including your banking details.
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.
Sept 2022 - Message posing as "Dad" SMS Scam
Be alert to receiving messages claiming to be a parent
This SMS Scam starts by receiving a message from "Dad". In this instance, scammers have used a sender name of "Dad" to lure recipients into actioning the request.
Wording may slightly vary, however should you receive a request to send money to a family member unexpectedly, always call them on their trusted number (one you've previously spoken to them on) to confirm the request.
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.
Aug 2022 - Toll or Travel Payment Request SMS Scam
Be alert to messages requesting unpaid toll or travel payments
This phishing scam starts with an SMS advising a payment is required for unpaid tolls or road trips. Reported transaction values have been less than $10, however this value can change between each impacted recipient.
If you click the link in the SMS you will be taken to a fake sign in page (phishing website) which requests your personal or banking information, including your credit card information, as well as requesting prompts for security codes.
These messages generally contain poor spelling and grammar.
Do not click on links in these types of messages.
If you receive any requests for toll or travel payments, always type the company’s website directly into your browser or sign in to their mobile app to verify any claims.
Remember - Never share your security codes. Ensure you always read the message that contains your security code. If the message indicates the code is to register for a new service, such as adding a card to a mobile wallet, and this is not what you have requested or expect, call us immediately.
Aug 2022 - Scam SMS
Payment made from your account
This phishing SMS has been sent advising that a payment has been made from your account.
By calling the number within this SMS, you will be contacting a scammer. The scammer may request details about your personal or banking information, and request security codes to "cancel" payments.
Westpac will never ask you for this type of information via SMS. Always call us on a trusted number, such one located on the back of your card or shown in the Westpac App. Please delete this message.
If you receive any messages regarding your account or transaction activity, do not click on any links provided via SMS - always sign in securely to check your account by typing westpac.com.au into your browser or using the App.
Aug 2022 - "Hi Mum/Hi Dad" Messaging Scam
Be alert when receiving new messages claiming to be from your child
This particular scam, commonly received via WhatsApp or other messaging apps, is designed to convince parents their child has a new phone number. The claimed child does not provide their name, but indicate they are a part of the family by responding with wording like "Your oldest and cutest child".
The scammer eventually asks to borrow money, claiming issues with Online Banking due to the phone number transfer.
It's always important to validate the person requesting money is legitimate. Call their old number, regardless of any claims the sender may make or check in with other family members to see if they have been advised of a change in number.
Aug 2022 - Email Scam
Upgrade Your Security System.
This email advises for security reasons, your banking services are temporarily restricted.
The email requests you update information via a link that appears similar to a Westpac URL, however if you click the link, you will be taken to a phishing website. The fraudulent website requests personal information including your customer number, password and credit card details.
Do not click the links in this email or enter any personal information.
Westpac will never ask you for this type of information via email. Please delete this message.
Aug 2022 - Investment Bond/Debt Securities Scam
Be alert to fake websites offering bonds or debt securities.
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. They may even provide 'advisors' who are readily available to guide you through financial choices to lure you into investing.
We've been made aware of scammers falsely claiming to represent, or have an affiliation with, ANZ Capel Court Limited. Please be aware ANZ Capel Court Limited does not engage with the general public at all.
Scammers using "Capel Court" in website domain names or email addresses have engaged the general public offering Government Bonds, Corporate Bonds and Term Deposits, as well as investment opportunities. They contain ANZ Capel Court Limited's actual ACN and AFS license number, logo and street addresses in well-known commercial office precincts in Melbourne and Sydney.
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.
