Recognising common holiday scams
With the holiday season in full swing, it's not just the festivities that ramp up – so do fraudsters. They prey on the hustle and bustle of this time of year, from parcel deliveries to holiday bookings. Take a moment to consider the risks and how to protect your money.
Common holiday scams
The holiday season’s busyness makes us more susceptible to sneaky tactics like dodgy links or requests for banking details. Be on high alert for these classic ploys.
Postal text message scams
Scammers send fake text messages pretending to be from postal services. These messages ask you to click a link to confirm delivery or pay a small fee. The link leads to a fake website that looks real, where they try to steal your personal or banking information.
Toll road text message scams
Scammers send fake text messages pretending to be from toll road operators. These messages ask you to click a link to pay your ‘fee.’ The link directs you to a fake website that looks legitimate, where they attempt to steal your personal or banking information.
Online sale scams
Online shopping is incredibly convenient, but it also comes with risks. Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, often using fake emails, ads, and social media pages or groups to lure you into providing your personal and financial information or paying for goods or services that may not exist. Once they receive your payment or have access to your credit card or online banking login details, they can continue to steal your money.
How buyers can avoid this scam:
- Ask for more photos of the goods you want
- Be wary if the price looks too good to be true
- Check the seller’s star ratings and reviews
- Never give a seller your online banking login or credit card details
- Request tracked shipping
- Ideally, inspect the goods in person before you pay.
Fake ‘sale’ websites
Scammers create fake websites that offer high-end products at unbelievably low prices. These sites look legit but are designed to steal your card or online banking information. Once they get your details, they can take money from your account.
WhatsApp scam
Be on alert for a ‘family member’ or ‘friend’ messaging you on WhatsApp from a number you don’t recognise claiming they’ve lost their phone and need money to pay for something urgently. They might try to get you to send money, or share personal information like credit card details, online banking, or two-factor authentication details. Check if it’s really your friend or family – contact them another way or use a family code word.
Top tips to keep yourself safe
These tips could save you from a scam this summer and help protect yourself and your money during the holiday season.
Trust your instincts
Hang up if a caller asks you to take urgent action, or delete the message, if something feels off. Don't feel pressured to comply – your safety comes first.
Be sceptical of links
Check the legitimacy of any texts or emails and be sceptical about clicking on links, especially if they come from unknown or unexpected sources. Hover over the link in the email to check if the link looks legitimate before clicking.
Check phone numbers
Be wary of receiving an email or text with a call back number, as scammers pretend to be from legitimate organisations. Contact the organisation on their publicly listed phone number to see if it’s a genuine communication.
Secure online shopping
When shopping for gifts online, be wary of deals that seem too good to be true, as they often are. Always check for a padlock symbol in the web address bar to ensure the site is secure and use the dynamic security code in the ANZ goMoney mobile app for added protection.
Keep track of your account
Review your account activity regularly to make sure you made every transaction.
Stay vigilant with your cards and devices
While travelling during the holiday season, keep wallets safe in crowded areas and be mindful of your surroundings when using your card. Don’t leave your cards unattended in an unlocked car, on the beach, or in a campervan or tent.
Lock your devices with strong passwords or biometric security to protect your personal information. This helps to prevent someone else logging into your ANZ Internet Banking or goMoney, or using your phone to receive one-time passcodes to access your money.
Remember, ANZ will never
- Ask you for your banking PINs, passwords, or two-factor authentication codes (OnlineCodes or Visa Secure codes)
- Send you a link to login to Internet Banking or goMoney
- Ask you to give us remote access to your devices
- Ask you to transfer money to a ‘safe’ account.
If in doubt, call us
If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud (or there’s a chance you might be), or if you notice anything out of the ordinary with your accounts or online banking, call us immediately so we can help to protect your banking.
From overseas: +64 4 470 3142 (charges may apply).