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It's alarming to hear in the media that Australians lose over $3 billion annually to scams through various methods like emails, calls, texts, and social media. They adopt tactics such as phishing and identity theft, making it a priority for everyone to stay watchful. Here's a guide to help you stay alert and protect yourself from scams and fraud. VerifyVerify the legitimacy of anyone contacting you before sharing personal information or making financial transactions. Be cautious of unexpected messages or calls, pressuring you to act quickly or share sensitive details. Do not click on links in messages or emails. Beware of unsolicited offers                                                      Whether it's a lottery win, an inheritance from an unknown relative, or a lucrative investment opportunity, be cautious and confirm the validity of such claims before proceeding. Monitor your accounts regularly   Check your bank accounts and credit report for any unauthorized activity. Immediately report any suspicious transactions for inconsistencies to your financial institution or appropriate authorities. Install security software          Install antivirus and anti-malware software on your devices Keep your software updated to guard against the latest security vulnerabilities. Trust your Instincts                                                      If something feels off or too good to be true, it probably is. Research and consult family or friends before making decisions if something seems suspicious or too good to be true. If you have fallen victim of a scam or suspect someone has gained access to your personal information, contact Unity Bank immediately on 1300 36 2000. You can also report a scam through the Scam Watch website and find additional information on scams and how to protect yourself. 

'Be cyber wise - don't compromise' October is Cyber Security month and an annual reminder for all Australians to stay secure online. Unity Bank supports Cyber Security Awareness Month, showing our commitment to your security and privacy online. We will continue to raise awareness to remind all members of the importance of adopting strong digital security. This year, we encourage you to ‘Be cyber wise – don’t compromise’. There are 4 simple steps you can take to be cyber wise and significantly boost your cyber security: 1. Update your devices regularly Turn on automatic updates for your devices and software. This ensures you have the latest security in place.  Check out our top tips to stay cyber secure Learn how to update your devices Test your knowledge by taking Australian Cyber Security Centre’s short quiz: how cyber secure are you 2. Protect your accounts with multi-factor authentication. Turn on multi-factor authentication to add another layer of protection to your accounts.  Learn about protected your account with multi-factor authentication Use the how-to-guide to protect your devices and accounts using multi-factor authentication 3. Back up your important file Safeguard your data from threats and avoid costly data recovery by having your important files backed up. Set up and perform regular backups Use Australian Cyber Security Centre's advice for backups to learn more about the files and devices to back up regularly.  4. Use passphrases and password managers Passphrases are passwords that use 4 or more random words. Don’t compromise your accounts by re-using passwords or passphrases. Consider using a password manager to help generate or store secure and unique passwords. Set secure passphrases protect your passphrases using a password manager.  If you suspect someone has gained access to your personal information, you should contact us immediately on 1300 36 2000. You can also report a scam through the Scam Watch website, and find additional information on scams and how to protect yourself. 

We are urging our Members to be cautious of investments promised via Facebook Marketplace. Scammers via Facebook Marketplace use a variety of tactics to manipulate buyers and sellers of the platform, often disguising themselves as one or the other. These scammers often send emails or text messages that reflect an investment scheme asking you to click on a link to find out more.   Possible scenario Fake emails are sent to Marketplace sellers that look like they’re from a payment service such as PayPal confirming a payment has been made for the product you are selling. However, no payment has been made, and the scammer has received the product for ‘free’.   How to protect yourself from this type of scam Take time to read suspicious emails or text messages (scammers often use urgency as a tactic to trick you into giving money or personal information). Check the email thoroughly (these emails often mention a problem that needs a solution quickly). Check the facts and details before taking action. Do not send any personal data or information (often these scammers use profile pictures of employees in a familiar business to convince you of their legitimacy). If you believe you have been scammed, call us immediately on 1300 36 2000.

Seniors are being targeted by scammers through a fake website requesting money and multiple forms of personal identification. In some instances, scammers are calling the elderly and offering the discount card and asking for personal information over the phone. How this scam works Fake websites/cold phone calls claiming to supply senior discount card membership for a fee. Fraudulent websites are charging around $29 (application processing fee) for the discount card and allege to be “officially approved”. Scammers steal personal information and use this on other platforms to commit identify fraud. What to look out for Seniors card membership is free of charge and so seniors should never be asked to pay a membership or application fee. If you are being asked for bank, credit card, PayPal details (or any other personal information) in exchange for membership then this is a scam. Top tips to avoid scams STOP – take your time before providing any personal information. THINK – ask yourself if the message could be fake? PROTECT – act quickly if something feels wrong. If you have provided information, contact IDCARE (on 1800 595 160) and report scams to Scamwatch.  Alternatively, call us immediately on 1300 36 2000.  

We are urging our Members to be wary of phone messages from a family member or friend claiming they need help, following a significant rise in 'Hi Mum' scams. The scammer will claim they have lost or damaged their phone and are making contact from a new number, most often contact is made through WhatsApp.     Once they develop a rapport, the scammer will ask for personal information or money for urgent expenses as they can't access online banking.  If you are concerned about the security of your account or believe you have been scammed, contact us immediately on 1300 36 2000. To find out more information about this scam, visit ACCC here. 

With the increase in online scams, it’s crucial to learn about different scam types and prevention strategies to safeguard your financial well-being. An impersonation scam involves scammers posing as trustworthy individuals to trick victims into sharing sensitive information or taking actions that can result in financial harm. Impersonation scams can take various forms, such as: Email Phishing: Scammers send emails mimicking legitimate sources, urging recipients to click links, download files, or provide personal data like passwords and credit card information. CEO Fraud/Business Email Compromise: Scammers impersonate high-level executives, coaxing employees into financial transactions or revealing confidential details, leading to substantial corporate losses. Romance Scams: Fraudsters create fake personas to forge romantic connections, exploiting trust to request money by fabricating financial crises. Government Impersonations: Scammers masquerade as officials, using threats of legal action or fines to manipulate victims into making payments or sharing personal data. Social Media Impersonation: Scammers create fake profiles on social media platforms, often using the names and photos of real individuals, to deceive users into believing they are interacting with someone they know and trust. They may then ask for money or personal information. Lottery and Prize Scams: Scammers falsely declare victims as lottery winners, demanding upfront payments or personal data to claim fictitious prizes, resulting in financial loss or identity theft. To avoid falling victim to impersonation scams, its important to exercise caution and follow these guidelines: Confirm Identities: Independently verify contacts' identities, particularly if they seek personal or financial data. If in doubt, hang up or delete the message and call us on 1300 36 2000. Question Urgent Appeals: Be cautious of urgent requests pressuring swift decisions; take time to evaluate without haste. Use Official Contact Information: Reach out through established official contact details instead of clicking links in emails. Educate Yourself: Familiarize yourself with common scam tactics, especially for unexpected requests involving sensitive info or payments. Secure Accounts: Use strong, unique passwords for different online accounts and change frequently. Enable two-factor authentication where possible, and regularly update your devices and software to stay protected against potential breaches. You should regularly monitor your bank account for any unusual or unauthorised transactions. If you suspect you've been targeted by an impersonation scam or any other scams, call us immediately on 1300 36 2000.