PayID is free to register and easy to use, it helps to stop scams because unlike a traditional payment, the payer can see a confirmation screen, which includes the intended PayID name, before they confirm the payment.
Find out more from the Australian Banking Association
Not sure what PayID is?
If you can’t remember your BSB and account number, a PayID is something easy to remember — like your mobile phone number that you register with us and we link to your account. Then when someone needs to pay you, you simply give them your PayID instead of your BSB and account number. PayID. Simple as.
Simpler to remember
Remembering bank details is enough to give anyone a ‘goldfish’ moment – seriously, who can remember their BSB and account numbers? A PayID can be something easy to remember like your mobile number.
Simpler to get right
If you’ve ever worried about sending money to the wrong account, PayID can help. Use a PayID with a service like Osko and the name of the person who owns that PayID is shown before you approve the payment. All you have to do is to confirm it’s the right person.
Simpler to share
Sharing your PayID couldn’t be simpler, because it’s easy to remember for both you and the person you’re sharing it with.
You most likely wouldn’t hand over the keys to your front door to a stranger, nor would you invite someone into your home that you didn’t know. You’re probably also cautious to not let anyone look over your shoulder when you’re using an ATM. So why would you give someone access straight into your bank account?
It might seem extreme, but this is essentially what many people end up doing every day through remote access scams. In April 2022, Australians lost more than $1.88 million dollars in these types of scams alone.
A remote access scam occurs when a person contacts you to inform you of a problem with your computer, internet or device, and offers the software or fix for the problem. The scammer will often pretend to be a staff member from a computer or telco company, or may claim to be a technical support service provider. They may also claim you have been hacked in some way.
They may then request remote access to your computer or device to find out the problem and help fix it, by sending you a link to click. They could also request personal information, or credit card details to cover the ‘cost’ of the supposed ‘fix’ they are offering you.
While their manner may start out calm and professional, the scammers can quickly change to a more aggressive tone and put pressure on you to act.
While in the past, scam numbers may have looked like they come from overseas, these days numbers can easily be spoofed, and look like they’re coming from a local source. And you can still receive scam calls, even if you have listed your number on the Australian Government's Do Not Call Register.
If you receive a call out of the blue from someone claiming you have a problem on your device or service, Leanne Vale, Director Financial Crimes and Cyber Resilience for Customer Owned Banking Association, says the best course of action is to hang up the phone.
"Your best defence is to just hang up the phone and not talk to them," she says.
"If someone calls saying they’re from a telco provider or utility company, and you think there may be some legitimacy to their claims, still hang up the phone. Then go and ring back that organisation on the official number that you have found independently."
No matter whether there is a legitimate problem or not, Leanne says a telco or utility company will never ask for access to your device. And if there is an issue and a company does reach out to you, they would never hold it against you for doing your own due diligence and calling them back independently.
"No company needs access to your device, and you should treat your device like you would your house or your car," says Leanne.
"The minute you open your bank account to these scammers, you are at risk of losing everything in there."
If you're going overseas, please let us know. It means we'll expect some transactions from overseas and can help look out for any suspicious transactions.
Update us through the banking app or by phone
Log into the Unity Bank app
Go to the Menu
Tap Travel Overseas
Enter your log in details
Add your trip details, including:- Your travel dates- The countries you plan to visit- Your contact details (email address and mobile number you'll be using overseas)
Tap Finish
If successful you'll see an onscreen confirmation.
Alternatively, you can also notify us by phone.
Left the country already? Don't worry, you can still tell us about your travel plans by following the steps above.
Contacting Unity Bank when overseas
If something goes wrong while you're away, the best way to get it sorted is by phone. Call us on +61 2 8263 3200 from 8:00am to 7:00pm (AEST) Monday to Friday. If you can't get to a phone, you can email us or get in touch via Facebook or Twitter.
As your Mutual Bank, we strive to educate and operate vigilantly to prevent our Members from falling victims to scams or frauds. In the past few years, we have advised Members about different types of scams. The latest scam is where the caller identifies themselves as a representative of the "Fraud Department", "Visa Fraud Monitoring Team" or "Fraud team in Collins Street Melbourne" to coerce Members to provide their personal information, card number and transactional data.
Most recently,the fraud callers are targeting bushfire victims who are already suffering significant personal impact from fires and evacuations, demanding they disclose card details, PINs and internet banking login details. Please be aware of scam phone callers falsely claiming to represent your Bank's fraud monitoring service.
To prevent our Members from being scammed, here are our top tips to help you avoid becoming a victim.
A genuine call from the fraud department or the Bank will only ever ask you to confirm the last four digits of the Visa Card affected.
Do not trust the information provided by the scammer. Any information provided is likely to be false like their contact number and designed to create an impression of believability.
Always know who you are dealing with. Avoid responding to unsolicited and unexpected contact. You have the right to ask the caller questions to assess the legitimacy of the call. If you are uncomfortable with the caller, cease the conversation.
Do not provide your banking details to anyone over the phone. We will NEVER ask for your contact details over SMS or email. If possible, collect the caller’s name, phone number and their position and then call us on 1300 36 2000 immediately.
Never click on URL links or open attachments in suspicious emails or SMS.
Just because your name is in the SMS or email, it does not mean it is contact from the Bank. Always double-check directly with us, your Bank.
Always go to our internet banking directly, do not use the links provided on the messages.
If you receive a call from a real fraud monitoring service like Vigil, they require limited Member information to confirm high-risk transactions. The Fraud Operations Team will always encourage Members to contact our Member Service Centre on 1300 36 2000 if you are ever unsure or uncomfortable with the legitimacy of the call.
To know more about types of scams, click here.
Digital wallets have become an increasingly popular way to store and manage money, but they are not immune to scams. The past year has seen an influx in Digital Wallet scams where scammers take advantage of innocent individuals via SMS or email, potentially providing access to your device. This allows scammers to create Digital Wallets using other people's information, resulting in many individuals' financial losses.
Types of digital wallet scams to look out for:
Phishing scams:
Scammers can send fake emails or text messages that appear to be from a legitimate digital wallet provider, asking you to click on a link to update your account information. This link takes you to a fake website designed to steal your login credentials.
Fake Wallet apps:
Scammers can create fake digital wallet apps and publish them on app stores. These apps may look like legitimate digital wallets, but they are designed to steal your money or personal information.
Trade or Cryptocurrency investment scams:
Scammers may ask you to invest in a new digital currency or a new blockchain project through your digital wallet. These scams often promise high returns, but they are just a way to steal your money.
Accidental payment:
Scammers may send you an SMS saying they accidentally sent you money and asking you to return the funds. You can see the money in your wallet, but if you return the money, the funds will be transferred out of your funds.
Customer Support scams:
Scammers may pose as company personnel and send you links to lure you to a compromised site to provide your digital wallet information.
Friend or family member scam:
If you suddenly receive a message from a friend or family from a different number, saying they need money in a hurry, this may be a fraudster. Fraudsters use a sense of urgency, expecting you to act on the request without calling to confirm.
How to protect yourself from digital wallet scams:
Make sure only to download digital wallet apps from trusted app stores.
Never click on links in emails or text messages from unknown sources.
Enable two-factor authentication on your digital wallet account, such as a password/pin and a fingerprint scanner, to ensure more robust security.
Regularly updating your digital wallet software can help prevent security breaches and protect your funds.
Be cautious of investment opportunities that seem too good to be true.
Before sending money to someone you supposedly know, call them to confirm.
If you receive a suspicious phone call, SMS or email and have been pressured into providing important information, call us immediately on 1300 36 2000.
We're urging our Members to look out for the new SCAM texts impersonating Australian banks, saying you’ve made an OSKO payment to a new payee and asking you to click a link to cancel the payment.
If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be from Unity Bank, please check the link and URL very carefully before responding and clicking on any link. If you’re unsure, do not click on any link and give us a call on 1300 36 2000.
