No one’s just a number
Scams Awareness Week 2026 runs from 24 to 28 August and is a chance for all of us to talk more openly about scams and how to stay safe.
This year’s theme, ‘No one’s just a number’, reminds us that behind every scam report is a real person - a parent, friend, neighbour or colleague - whose money, time or trust has been stolen. Scams can happen to anyone, and being targeted by a scammer is never a reflection of a person’s intelligence or character.
As a mutual bank, the trust and safety of our members are among our highest priorities. We are committed to helping protect member data, raising awareness of online risks, and ensuring our members have the knowledge to respond to threats with confidence and care.
Common types of scams and cyber threats
Scams and cyberattacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated and frequent. Some of the most common include:
- Phishing emails: Scammers pose as trusted organisations, sending emails that prompt recipients to click malicious links, download harmful attachments, or reveal sensitive information such as passwords and credit card details.
- Romance scams: Fraudsters create fake identities online to form emotional connections, eventually convincing victims to send money for fabricated emergencies.
- 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.
- Bank impersonation scams: Scammers impersonates a bank or financial institution to trick their victims into making payments to a fraudulent account.
- Tax time SMS and email scams: These scams encourage people to click on a link that directs them to a fake MyGov sign-in pages designed to steal their username and password. E.g. phrases include: 'You are due to receive an ATO direct refund”, or “You have an ATO notification.”
- Linkt Toll scams: Messages (SMS or WhatsApp mostly) request payment or updated billing information through a fraudulent link.
- Phone scams: Scammers call victims pretending to be from government agencies, tech support, banks or delivery services to steal information or money.
- Impersonation scams: Fraudsters pose as trusted individuals, such as colleagues, family member, or CEO, to request urgent payments or sensitive data.
- Fake websites: They mimic real websites to steal credentials or infect your device with malware when you enter information or download content.
- Malware attacks: Malicious software is installed via unsafe links or downloads, allowing scammers to access your personal or financial information.
- Remote access scams: Scammers convince victims to grant access to their computer or mobile device, often claiming to be tech support.
Three steps. Any scam. Any situation.
Scammers use pressure, trust and convincing stories to make people act quickly, but 3 simple steps can help.
- Stop: Always take a moment before giving your money or personal information to anyone. Scammers will create a sense of urgency to pressure you into acting quickly. Don’t rush to make decisions about money or sharing personal details.
- Check: Make sure the person or organisation you’re dealing with is real. Scammers pretend to be from organisations you know and trust. Always verify who you’re really dealing with before taking any action.
- Protect: Act quickly if something feels wrong. The sooner you take action, the better you can protect yourself and others from scammers. Report any suspicious activity immediately to us on 1300 364 400 and the appropriate authorities (e.g. Scamwatch, your IT support or local police).
No one is immune, stay alert and informed.
That’s why we’re focused on continuing to strengthen our digital security, educating both members and staff, and providing the tools and training needed to protect what matters most: our members’ information and financial wellbeing.
Additional tips for protection
- Never share your password with anyone.
- Use complex, unique passwords for different accounts.
- Avoid using easily guessed words. (e.g. “123456”, “password”, “birth dates”)
- Don’t reuse passwords across platforms.
- Keep your devices updated with the latest security.
- Be cautious of unsolicited messages or offers that sound too good to be true.
- Don’t click on suspicious links or attachments, especially from unknown sources.
Our commitment to you
Scams Awareness Week is a timely reminder of the importance of staying safe online. As your mutual bank, we will continue to:
- Provide ongoing cybersecurity training to help our staff stay alert.
- Share useful resources and alerts to help members identify and avoid scams.
- Maintain strong data protection policies and invest in secure technology.
- Monitor cyber threats closely and act quickly to protect member accounts.
This Scams Awareness Week, take a moment to reflect on your online habits, have conversations with friends and family about scam safety, and help spread the message 'No one’s just a number'.
Need help?
If you believe someone has gained access to your bank account and/or personal information, even if the scam appears unrelated to your finances, you should contact your bank immediately. A timely response can be critical.
- If you have concerns about your account contact us immediately.
- You can report cybercrime directly to the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) or National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC) – Scamwatch.
- Find out how scams work, how to protect yourself, what to do if you’ve been scammed or report a scam to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) via Scamwatch.
- Change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication to protect your accounts.
To understand how we help to keep you safe, please refer to our Security page. For more information on common scams and how to protect yourself, please visit the News section of our website.
