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ANZ warns Australians of scam risks following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred
ANZ is urging customers and the broader community to remain vigilant against scammers impersonating trusted organisations in the wake of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
ANZ warns Australians of scam risks following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred
ANZ is urging customers and the broader community to remain vigilant against scammers impersonating trusted organisations in the wake of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Scammers are known to exploit crises by posing as banks, insurance providers, charities, or disaster relief services to deceive individuals into revealing personal information or making fraudulent payments.
ANZ Head of Customer Protection, Shaq Johnson, warned that fraudsters often disguise themselves as recovery support services to manipulate those affected.
“Scammers can disguise themselves as recovery support, manipulating those affected by the crisis into sharing sensitive information or making fraudulent payments under false pretenses,” he said.
“Staying vigilant and taking simple precautions can help safeguard your recovery journey and prevent further setbacks during an already challenging time. Since scammers thrive on urgency and uncertainty, a thoughtful pause can be your strongest defence against fraudulent activity.”
How to spot a scam
ANZ advises customers to be cautious of unexpected requests for personal details and provides the following guidance:
- Verify the source – Be wary of calls, emails, or messages claiming to be from a bank or insurance company requesting urgent payments or unusual account activity. Confirm legitimacy by using official contact details from the organisation’s website.
- Think before you click – Legitimate organisations will never request personal information via a link in an email or text message.
- Be cautious of fake charity appeals – Always verify the authenticity of charity requests by checking their registration with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).
- Check for errors – Scams often contain poor grammar, spelling mistakes, or unnatural phrasing.
ANZ scam prevention measures
ANZ reminds customers that it will never:
- Request online banking passwords, PINs, ANZ Shield codes, or one-time passcodes.
- Ask customers to click on a link to log in or enter sensitive details.
- Request remote access to devices.
- Instruct customers to transfer funds to another account to keep them safe.
- Invite customers to join an online chat for security verification.
Reporting scams and seeking assistance
ANZ’s customer protection teams operate 24/7 to monitor scam activity. Customers who believe they may have been targeted should contact ANZ immediately at 13 33 50 or visit www.anz.com.au/security/report-fraud.
Further information on scam prevention is available at www.anz.com.au/security.
ANZ relief package for cyclone-affected customers
On 5 March 2025, ANZ activated a relief package for customers impacted by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Customers experiencing financial hardship are encouraged to contact ANZ early for assistance. Those with ANZ Home and Contents Insurance may also be eligible for emergency support.
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