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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. 

Professional scammers are exploiting unsuspecting individuals with offers to fix account, phone, or computer issues, resulting in increasing financial losses through remote access scams. By convincing victims to download well-known screen-sharing software, criminals gain control of devices and siphon funds. Australians lost $15.5 million in 2023, with older demographics bearing the brunt of the losses. How to spot the scam Be cautious of unsolicited calls claiming device issues and impersonation of reputable institutions. Exercise caution when prompted to download remote control software. Here's how the scam operates: Victims without knowing grant scammers control over their devices, who then fabricate issues and coerce victims into divulging sensitive information. This access allows scammers to pilfer funds without detection until victims log in again. Protect Yourself: STOP – Avoid rushing into action. Hang up on anyone urging you to download software or apps over the phone. Refrain from sharing banking details, passwords, or 2-factor authentication codes during such calls. THINK – Question the authenticity of the caller. Take time to verify their identity by contacting the business independently using trusted contact details or confirming the employee's legitimacy through secure channels. PROTECT – Act swiftly if suspicions arise. Contact your bank immediately if you've disclosed financial information or made transfers. Help combat scams by reporting incidents to Scamwatch, assisting others in avoiding similar traps. If you've been affected:  Call us immediately on 1300 36 2000 if you have noticed any suspicious transactions or if you have any concerns. Seek support from IDCARE for compromised personal information. Report scams to Scamwatch and inform others to prevent future incidents.  

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.

Many of our Members are well known to our staff. We recognise their voices because we have served them for many years. Therefore, we also know when someone is trying to impersonate them. Last week, we received a call from someone who was trying to impersonate a Member, whom we happen to know very well. Our staff picked up on it straight away and stopped the scam immediately. Shortly after, the Member contacted us to advise that she had provided her personal information to someone in a suspicious call. We advised the Member that we had stopped the scammer from accessing her bank account. We ceased internet banking access and all banking activities before the scammer was able to access her account online. The following day, the Member visited our branch and updated all of her personal information. She was very grateful that our staff know her so well, and that we were able to pick up on something like this. Every day, we work hard to educate our Members to be wary of suspicious calls from unknown sources. Please remember that we will never ask you for your bank account details over the phone or online. If you believe you have been scammed, please call us on 1300 36 2000 immediately.