How to spot a scam
Scams can come by phone call, text message, email, website or social media. Watch out if someone:
- contacts you when you weren't expecting it
- says there's a problem with your card, account or payments and you must act now
- asks for a one-time code, PIN, password or card details
- asks you to move money to "keep it safe" or pay in an unusual way, such as gift cards, cryptocurrency or a new bank account
- asks you to download an app or let them into your phone or computer
- offers a deal, job or investment that sounds too good to be true
- tells a sad story and asks for money
- gets pushy or upset when you want to stop and check.
Scammers try to rush you, so you miss these signs. Taking a moment to stop and think is one of the best ways to protect yourself.
Common scam types
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Most scams involve someone pretending to be from an organisation you trust. This could be a bank, a government agency such as the ATO or myGov, a phone company or a business you deal with.
What to do: hang up. Call us on 1300 763 505 or call Beyond Bank on 13 25 85 or the number on the back of your card.
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These messages look like they're from a real organisation. They ask you to click a link, log in or "update your details". The link takes you to a fake website that steals what you type.
What to do: don't click links in unexpected messages. Type the website address yourself or use the organisation's official app.
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A text or email says you've bought something you didn't buy, often something expensive. It gives a phone number to call to cancel or reverse the payment. That number goes to a scammer.
What to do: don't call the number in the message. Check your account through the official app or website.
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Someone calls about a problem with your account, phone or computer. They ask you to download an app so they can "fix" it. Once they're in, they can see your banking and take your money.
What to do: never let a caller into your phone or computer, even if they sound professional.
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These offer easy money: high returns with little risk, or work-from-home jobs with short hours and high pay.
What to do: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Check investments on ASIC's Moneysmart and ask someone you trust before you pay anything.
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Someone you meet online builds your trust over weeks or months, then asks for money – often for an emergency, travel or a sick family member.
What to do: never send money to someone you haven't met in person. Talk to family or friends if you're unsure.
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Scammers can make a call or text look like it's coming from a real organisation's phone number. This is called spoofing. A fake text can even appear in the same message thread as real texts from that organisation.
What to do: hang up and call back on a number you've checked yourself.
What CBB will never ask you to do
We'll never call you and ask you to:
- tell us your password or login details
- read out a one-time code sent to your phone or email
- give us your card PIN or the security code on the back of your card
- make a payment or move money to fix a problem or protect your card
- let us into your phone or computer.
Stop. Check. Protect.
Scamwatch, the Australian Government's scam advice service, suggests three simple steps.
- Stop. Take a moment before you give anyone money or personal details. It's OK to say no or hang up. Don't let anyone rush you, and trust your feelings if something seems wrong.
- Check. Make sure the person or message is real. Hang up or don't reply, then contact the organisation yourself. For CBB, call us on 1300 763 505. For your Beyond Bank card, call Beyond Bank on the number on the back of your card. Only use numbers from an organisation's official website, app or card – never a number the caller gives you. You can also ask family or a friend what they think.
- Protect. If you think you've been scammed, act quickly. The next section explains what to do.
If you've already shared your details
There's no shame in being scammed – it can happen to anyone. Acting quickly can help limit the damage.
- Call Beyond Bank straight away on 13 25 85 or the number on the back of your card. Ask them to block your card and stop any payments.
- Call us on 1300 763 505 between 8:30 am to 6:30 pm Monday to Friday (ACDT). We'll help you with the next steps.
- Change your passwords if you shared them with the caller.
- Check your bank statements for any payments you don't recognise.
- Report the scam to Scamwatch. This helps protect other people.
- Watch out for more scams. Scammers often come back, sometimes pretending they can help you get your money back.
Information for employers
If your organisation uses CBB for salary packaging, you can help your team stay safe by sharing this page. Many of your people may work on the road or rarely check email, so a few simple steps can make a real difference.
You can:
- share a link to this page in your staff newsletter, intranet or team chat
- mention it in team meetings, on noticeboards or with rosters
- remind your team that CBB will never call to ask for codes, PINs, passwords or payments
- ask anyone who gets a suspicious call to hang up and contact CBB on 1300 763 505.
Scamwatch also has scam information in other languages, which can help if your team speaks a range of languages.