Background
Criminals are calling people and pretending to be from a trusted organisation like a bank, IT company or phone company. They will say your bank accounts or computers aren’t secure and your money isn’t safe. They will ask for your PIN and tell you to leave your bank card in your letterbox so it can be cancelled and replaced. They may ask you to withdraw cash and leave that in the letterbox instead, or they may pick it up from you directly.
These scammers can use technology to make it look like the call is coming from the bank’s or other legitimate business's phone number. They may send text messages in the same conversation thread as your real bank.
Our Scamwatch reports show these criminals are targeting older and vulnerable Australians who live alone. They are stealing large sums of money. Share this Scam Alert with your friends, family and colleagues - it’s important we all work together to help protect each other from scams.
How to spot the scam
Criminals pretend to be from your bank, IT company or phone company and tell you that your account or computer is not secure. They will ask you to provide your PIN and leave your card out for collection, or to withdraw cash and hand this over instead.
How the scam works
Scammers impersonate organisations you know and trust so that you will believe what they’re saying.
They will try to make you scared about the security of your money or device, so you’ll do what they say without stopping to check that what they're saying is real.
Once they have your card and PIN, they’ll withdraw as much money from your account as possible.
What you should know
Your bank or phone company will never ask you to:
- disclose your PIN
- leave your card out to be collected
- withdraw cash from your account
- transfer money to another account to keep it secure.
Speak up and report if you are ever asked to do any of these things. Visit the Scamwatch website to find out more.
Stay protected
STOP – Never tell anyone your PIN, or give your card or cash to someone you don’t know. Say no, hang up, delete.
CHECK – Scammers call and pretend to be from organisations that you know and trust – like your bank. If you’re not sure, call the official number of the organisation to check. You can find this on their website, app or the back of your bank card.
PROTECT – If a scammer has taken your money, bank card or personal details, contact your bank or card provider immediately to report the scam and ask them to stop any transactions. Call the police if your cash or card has been taken by someone you don’t know. Report scams to Scamwatch.
If you’ve been affected
If you're the victim of a scam, don't be embarrassed. It can happen to anybody. It's important to ask for help and report the scam as soon as you can.
If a scammer has taken your money, bank card or personal details, contact your bank or card provider immediately to report the scam and ask them to stop any transactions. Call the police if your cash or card has been taken by someone you don’t know, or you feel unsafe.
If you're experiencing financial hardship because of a scam you can talk to the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.
Help others by reporting scams to Scamwatch. The information you provide helps the National Anti-Scam Centre make Australia a harder target for scammers.