Yahoo Finance ME Bank warning to 300,000 customers
ME Bank customers have been warned about a new scam call impersonating the bank.
ME Bank, a subsidiary of Bank of Queensland, has warned customers about a new scam call attempting to impersonate the bank.
ME Bank said it was aware of the scam, which involved calls to customers from a private number, or what appeared to be a Victorian landline, where the callers claimed to work for ME Bank.
“The callers are targeting customers who may have previously fallen victim to a scam and will notify them that they are at risk of a further compromise unless they follow the caller’s instructions,” ME Bank said.
“The caller may ask the customer for their personal information, internet banking information, card numbers or to verify a one-time PIN sent to them.”
Also read: Warning to Aussies over ‘Kochie’ scam: ‘Very easy to get sucked in’
Also read: Warning to Aussies over ‘dad’ scam text: ‘I brought the wrong card’
Also read: ACCC warns Aussies to ‘be cautious’ amid $20 million loss
ME Bank customer advocate Ben Griffin said this was an issue affecting the entire banking industry.
“Across the industry, we’re seeing scammers becoming increasingly sophisticated in their attempts to target all consumer types. This makes it more and more difficult to identify a scam, as these attempts may appear to be completely legitimate,” Griffin said.
“Keeping our customers’ accounts safe is our priority. If you receive an unexpected call or SMS - stop and think. A good rule of thumb, if you’re unsure, is to contact the company directly using a verified phone number or trusted channel to confirm the request. Never click on the links or provide your personal details.”
Griffin said if you thought your account or card details had been disclosed to a scammer, or if you received a verification code that you did not request, to contact ME Bank immediately.
“Our ME Bank teams are highly trained and here to help by calling 13 15 63. You can also visit the ME Bank website for more information and helpful resources on how you can best protect yourself,” he said.
Griffin said ME Bank customers should be on alert for calls from private numbers or Victorian landlines. He added that some victims had reported the caller had a British accent.
He said the scammer emphasised urgency when calling to attempt to pressure customers to provide personal information. They do this by alluding to a security compromise with customers’ cards, accounts or internet banking, but the scammers may struggle to actually provide specific information.
Follow Yahoo Finance on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter, and subscribe to our free daily newsletter.
