How to Avoid Scams

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Have you done all you can to protect yourself or your business against fraud and scams?

Get familiar with our general hints and tips
Read our general hints and tips so that you can safeguard yourself and your business from any potential threat.
Stay up to date
Visit our latest scams page, check out the Australian Government and other partner websites and keep up to date with the latest information on scams and what you can do to protect yourself.
Take the 6 actions to protect yourself
Follow our 6 actions that you can take today to better protect yourself against fraud and scams.

Online Banking

Never provide your personal or security details - This includes your customer ID, passwords, card details or Security codes, in response to an email or SMS, even if it looks legitimate.
Regularly check your accounts and your payee list - for any suspicious transactions contact us immediately on 132 032 if you see anything unusual.
Secure your mailbox and properly dispose of sensitive documents - use a padlock or PO Box and report any missing mail to relevant providers. Don't simply throw your bank documents, bills etc in the bin. Documents containing personal details should be shredded or securely destroyed.
Keep your devices secure - by maintaining the latest security software, always enable passwords and never downloading software from an unsecure source.
Be careful of what you share online and on social media. Think before you post photos, personal information and financial information about you, your friends or your family. Regularly check your privacy settings and register for two factor authentication to help keep your social media and email accounts secure.
Advise us of your travel plans –including dates and locations so we don't lock your accounts when we see overseas transactions. It is also a good idea to use a designated travel card loaded with enough funds for a few days of purchases in case of theft.

Cards

Never write down your PIN - make sure the number does not match numbers found in your wallet like your date of birth or last four digits of your phone number.
Bring a back up card when travelling – and notify us promptly if the card has been lost or stolen.
Destroy expired or unwanted cards – by cutting through the signature panel and magnetic strip.
Know where your card is at all times – and never leave your card unattended in open or public locations.

Business

Ensure all your systems and software are up to date with the latest security patches and always use multi-factor authentication for any remote access to your system.
Keep data safe Keep data safe by implementing a regular backup procedure to an external location.
Educate your staff about scams targeting businesses.
Always verbally confirm any payment requests or account changes that are delivered via email. Regardless of if the sender claims to be from a supplier or appears to be someone in your company, call them on a trusted number to verbally confirm first.
Beware of impersonators - criminals often like to pose as well-known organisations to entice you into fulfilling their requests. Common impersonations include ASIC, the ATO, energy companies or utility companies.

Use caution when receiving phone calls or emails claiming to be from a reputable organisation and consider what they are asking for;

Does this sound right? Would someone really ask me to do this?
Westpac will never ask you to download software and sign-in to your banking.
If a caller is pressuring you to gain access to your accounts simply hang up and call us at 132 032 for assistance.

Keep up to date with the latest online and cyber security information through these Government or Not for Profit websites:

Protect yourself

The Australian Cybersecurity Centre (ACSC):

Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) – Scams information

Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC): Scamwatch

Protect your business

Protect your family

e-Safety Commissioner Helping Australiaians to have a more positive experience online, including tips for parents and carers, to help children and seniors, as well as e-Safety training and other resources.
Think U Know: What young people see, say and do online