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Latest Scams & 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.

The following are recent scam email examples reported to us. To better assist you, we've highlighted some of the ways that can help you spot a scam email. For more information on scams, check out the Hoax email and Trojans page or visit Scamwatch.

April 2020

Email Subject Line: bankofmelbourne.Com.Au Mail Server Returned Message

This email advises that we are experiencing a high rate of mail server messages. The link will take you to a phishing website which may ask for personal information such as online banking sign in details &/or credit card details.

Do not click the link in this email or enter your personal information. Bank of Melbourne will never ask you to click a link to sign into your online internet banking.

April 2020 scam

September 2018

Email Subject Line: Renewal

By clicking the link "Renewal Letter" in this scam email there is a strong possibility your computer will become infected with malicious software, which will compromise your online activities, including your banking.

Do not click the link in this email or enter the information requested. If you have clicked any links within this email we strongly recommend you install Trusteer Rapport to your device, go to bankofmelbourne.com.au/trusteer.

ASIC scam email

March 2018

Email Subject Line: Your Origin Energy Invoice

Description: This email contains an attachment (pictured) posing as an Origin Energy invoice. Do not open the attachment. If you open it and then enable editing when prompted, there is a strong possibility your computer will become infected with malicious software. This will compromise your online activities, including your banking.

Be cautious when receiving emails that contain attachments, and do not enable editing. If you have clicked any links within this email we strongly recommend you install Trusteer Rapport, go to bankofmelbourne.com.au/trusteer.

Scam Origin Energy bill with malicious software

Think you received or responded to a similar scam email?
 

January 2017

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is warning their customers to be vigilant of scam emails purporting to be from ASIC. The email asks recipients to view an important message from ASIC. Clicking this link may lead to malicious software being installed onto your machine, which could be used to compromise your online activities, including your banking activities.

January 2017 - hoax email

Think you received or responded to a similar scam email?
 

The following are recent examples of some signs that your machine may be infected with malicious software such as a trojan or virus. For more information on scams, check out the Hoax email and Trojans page or visit Scamwatch.

May 2020

Email Subject Line: Revised Invoice and Banking Information

This email entices you to open the attached documents by advising the email is from a Bank Of Melbourne employee. It is highly your personal or banking information may be compromised if this link is clicked.

If you have clicked any links within this email we strongly recommend you install Trusteer Rapport, go to bankofmelbourne.com.au/trusteer and contact us immediately.

March 2019

Email Subject Line: Your Telstra Business Email Bill

This email entices you to open the attached link by advising you have a Telstra Bill due. It is highly your personal or banking information may be compromised if this link is clicked.

If you have clicked any links within this email we strongly recommend you install Trusteer Rapport, go to bankofmelbourne.com.au/trusteer and contact us immediately.

ASIC scam email

Email Subject Line: Your new statement

This email entices you to open the attached link by advising one of two payable invoices is overdue. It is highly your personal or banking information may be compromised if this link is clicked.

If you have clicked any links within this email we strongly recommend you install Trusteer Rapport, go to bankofmelbourne.com.au/trusteer and contact us immediately.

ASIC scam email

January 2019

Email Subject Line: Reminder: Telstra TBS Documents

By clicking to view the attached document within this email posing as Telstra, there is a strong possibility your computer will become infected with malicious software, which will compromise your online activities, including your banking.

If you have clicked any links within this email we strongly recommend you install Trusteer Rapport, go to bankofmelbourne.com.au/trusteer and contact us immediately.

ASIC scam email


Email Subject Line: Your EnergyAustralia Electricity bill is here

By clicking any links to view your bill within this email posing as an EnergyAustralia bill, there is a strong possibility your computer will become infected with malicious software, which will compromise your online activities, including your banking. Amounts and due dates will vary for individual recipients.

If you have clicked any links within this email we strongly recommend you install Trusteer Rapport, go to bankofmelbourne.com.au/trusteer and contact us immediately.

ASIC scam email

October 2018

Email Subject Line: AGL electricity bill

By clicking any links in this email posing as AGL, there is a strong possibility your computer will become infected with malicious software, which will compromise your online activities, including your banking.

DO NOT click any links or open any attachments in this email. If you have clicked any links within this email we strongly recommend you install Trusteer Rapport to your device, go to bankofmelbourne.com.au/trusteer and call us immediately on 13 22 66.

AGL electricity bill

June 2018

Email Subject Line: Bill 18322 from XXXXX

By clicking the link in this scam email to review the attached document there is a strong possibility your computer will become infected with malicious software, which will compromise your online activities, including your banking.

DO NOT click any links or open any attachments in this email. If you have clicked any links within this email we strongly recommend you install Trusteer Rapport to your device, go to bankofmelbourne.com.au/trusteer and call us immediately on 13 22 66 if your logon page looks similar to the example.

ASIC scam email
ASIC scam email

March 2018

Email Subject Line: Please DocuSign the attached Business Activity Statements 
By clicking the link in this scam email to review the attached document there is a strong possibility your computer will become infected with malicious software, which will compromise your online activities, including your banking.

DO NOT click any links or open any attachments in this email. If you have clicked any links within this email we strongly recommend you install Trusteer Rapport to your device, go to bankofmelbourne.com.au/trusteer

Fake Activity Statement malware scam example

Scammers don't only start their conversations online.

Financial institutions are seeing an increase in phone scams where callers claim to be from a reputable organisation requesting information or assistance. Common organisations scammers use to gain your trust include utility companies including telephone and internet providers, financial institutions, software companies, technical support helpdesks or government agencies. See the below information on 2 common scams that might target you via the phone, leading to financial loss.

Remember to protect your Secure Code like your password or PIN

To protect the security of your accounts, never disclose your Secure Code – or any Bank of Melbourne Internet Banking access codes – to others.

For better protection from phone scams:

  • Keep all access codes (e.g. Card PIN, Internet Banking password, Secure Code) secret and secure. Never share this information over the phone or via email.
  • Never give a stranger remote access to your computer
  • Do not share your personal or account details unless you contacted a company directly on a trusted number.
  • If you receive a call requesting personal or security information, ask for a reference number and call the company back on a trusted number (i.e. phone book) before you share any details
  • If you think you have provided your personal details to scammers, or given them access to your computer, contact us immediately on 13 22 66.

Remote Access Scams

A remote access scam is when someone contacts you to request you download software or use an app that shares remote access to your device.

Sharing access to your computer or mobile enables a third party to see and control all information on your device. Scammers coerce you into logging on to internet banking, sharing your secure codes and performing transactions. They may also use this access to steal your personal data or gain access to your friends and family’s information.

Image showing how remote access scams work

Investment Scams

An investment scam is where scammers convince you to invest in “high return” investments. The investments vary widely and may be in shares, real estate, bonds, mortgages, options or foreign currency trading, bitcoin, even betting syndicates and foolproof prediction software.

Scammers may claim to be bankers, stock brokers, financial planners or other investment professionals, they may seem knowledgeable on investment matters and even send you links to legitimate looking fake websites and prospectus documents. Often the account name you are directed to pay differs to that of the investment company.

Online investment scams have been known to use celebrities’ names and pictures (without them knowing) to endorse their schemes.

Image showing how investment scams work

The following are recent examples of SMS scams. For more information on scams, check out the Hoax email and Trojans page or visit Scamwatch.

Nov 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 logon to your Internet 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@bankofmelbourne.com.au or 0447 214 629.

SMS scam example

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 or your device.

Forward a copy to hoax@bankofmelbourne.com.au or 0447 214 629.

SMS scam example

Aug 2022 - "Hi Mum/Hi Dad" Messaging Scam

Be alert when receiving new messages claiming to be from your child

Description: 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 Internet 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.

SMS scam example

March 2020

Description: This phishing SMS has been sent using a spoofed name of "GOV" to convince you this is a trusted message. Please be aware that your phone will group it with legitimate messages from GOV.

If you have clicked any links within this SMS we strongly recommend you reset the phone back to factory settings and contact us immediately.

COVID-19 SMS scam example


September 2018

Message: The message advises that suspicious activity on your credit card is noted and asks you to follow a link to a phishing website that is targeting your personal banking details.

St.George will never send you a security message asking you for this information.

Fake Activity Statement malware scam example

Past examples of scam emails

Past examples of malicious software