Real Stories—Telephone Scams & Mail Fraud

Susan received a call from an individual who, stating he worked for her bank, asked her details about her savings account and if she had recently been taking money out every week. Susan, a retiree, was at home and received the call on her landline – she was quite concerned as she knew she hadn't taken money out of the account in a number of years. She thought to herself – has someone been accessing my account? Have I been hacked?

Susan shared her personal banking details with the individual who was purporting to be from the head office of her bank. She was then instructed to complete a temporary 'safeguard solution' while he investigated the matter. He told her to go to her local branch, remove a large amount from her account and lodge it through a money wire transfer in her local post office to a 'safe' account.

If questioned at her local branch she was to say that the money was for a relative's wedding. Once he had found the solution, the money would be returned to her account after a number of days once her account was secure.

Thankfully when Susan arrived at her branch, she was asked a series of questions as to why she was taking such a large sum out for a family wedding. Her teller asked her if there was anything Susan would like to share as it was quite a large sum. She also was informed of a number of scams that had taken place where fraudsters posed as banks on the phone. Susan grew suspicious and told the teller about the advice she received on the phone from the bank's 'head office'.

Susan's local teller informed her that no head office of any bank would advise a customer to lie to local branch staff or to cash savings into another off-site account in such a manner.

The teller explained how other customers had been targeted and lost large amounts of savings – with no ability to recoup them – as they had taken the money out themselves, and consciously authorized transactions. Susan was embarrassed she had almost fallen for it and on thinking back really should have known a bank would never ask a customer to complete such a transaction.

Fraudsters are creative and resourceful – there is no shame in being deceived. Don't be embarrassed to report a scam; by doing so you will make it more difficult for fraudsters to deceive someone else.

Avoid this type of scam

• See if the phone number is in fact your bank by calling them back remembering to phone the bank's number as detailed on your debit/credit card.
• Look to see if it is true that your account is missing money as Susan was told.
• Check that the individual works at the bank or credit union by taking their name and details.
• If you are in any way concerned please contact your Bank or Credit Union.
• Call the number on your debit/credit card, make sure you hear a dial tone if calling from a landline or call from your mobile phone and tell them about your recent contact.
• Contact your local police and report the incident.
• Don't transfer money out of your account unless you are doing so of your own accord and not being instructed to do so by a 'caller'. Once your money leaves your account it is gone…