Yahoo Finance 'Do not click': Major bank customers warned of scam
Scammers continue to relentlessly target Australians by pretending to be from trusted institutions such as big banks and tricking them into handing over personal information.
Earlier this week, a NSW-based Twitter user posted a screenshot of a fake text message that appears to be sent by major bank NAB.
“I think NAB need to keep an eye out for this!” the Twitter user said.
The text message informs the victim that “a payment was attempted from a new device”, and prompts them to confirm it was not them by clicking a link.
I think @NAB need to keep an eye out for this! pic.twitter.com/JB0U092Bz2
— Mick (@Mickle_79) June 22, 2021
But the text is a fake, the big bank has warned.
“This definitely appears to be a scam so please do not click the link or provide these scammers with any of your information,” NAB tweeted in response.
“If you feel comfortable to do so, you can report this to our security team.”
Thanks Mick - This definitely appears to be a scam so please do not click the link or provide these scammers with any of your information. If you feel comfortable to do so, you can report this to our security team following the guide on our website: https://t.co/cXzP84HdBU ^RG
— NAB (@NAB) June 22, 2021
Aussies who receive suspicious-looking messages or emails pretending to be from NAB should send it to the bank’s security team at phish@nab.com.au or forward the text to 0476 220 003 (047 NAB 0003).
“Please be aware you will not receive a personal response from phish@nab.com.au or 047 NAB 0003,” NAB states on its security alert web page.
The bank is also aware of a similar text message-based phishing campaign that uses slightly different wording, such as: “A new payee was added today”.
Clicking the link will take you to a fake NAB website asking for your personal and banking details.
“Do not click on the link,” NAB warns on its website.
“NAB will never ask you to confirm, update or disclose personal or banking information via a link in an email or text message.”
All manners of institutions, regulatory bodies, cyber security agencies and police departments have issued warnings against scammers recently, as the sheer volume of scams escalate.
Last year, Australians lost more than $851 million to scammers, an increase of 23 per cent from 2019.
Cyber criminals have taken advantage of the COVID pandemic and the vaccine rollout to target vulnerable people, and tax time also serves as a popular time for scammer activity.
NAB has also issued a guide to help Australians protect against tax-related scams.
“Here are two main types of scams that involve criminals impersonating the ATO: tax refund scams [and] tax owed scams.”
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