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Phone Scams

Know how to recognise a scam call and what to do if you receive one.

Vishing (Voice and Phishing) is a phone scam where fraudsters target you by calling and claiming to be your bank, government department or service provider e.g. computer support looking to “upgrade your system” or fix a problem.

Fraudsters trick you into divulging personal, financial or security information or into making a financial transfer to them. Information they look for might include debit or credit card details, PIN number, online banking details, password and personal details – name, address and date of birth. This information can be used to access your bank account or carry out transactions with your card.

Fraudsters may attempt to convince you to grant them remote access to your computer under the disguise of providing “assistance.” They may ask you to download software to share your screen or grant remote access, often claiming it is necessary to “process a refund to your account” or “set up and monitor a new investment scheme.” In doing so, you risk exposing your personal information to the fraudster.

Key Advice

Be Informed:

  • Never share personal information unless you have verified that the caller is a legitimate representative of the organisation they claim to be from.
  • Tell the caller you will return their call after verifying their identity.
  • If someone pressures you to take urgent action over the phone, hang up and call the number on the official website. If it’s your bank, use the number located on back of your debit/credit card.
  • Before dialling from a landline, ensure you hear a dial tone, as fraudsters may attempt to keep the line open.

Be Alert:

  • Be wary of unsolicited calls, especially if purporting to be from your bank.
  • Remember, both parties must hang up to fully disconnect a landline call. If in doubt, use a different phone line to verify the caller’s identity.
  • Fraudsters may already have basic information about you (e.g. name, address, account details). Do not assume a caller is genuine because they know this information.
  • Never grant remote access to your computer or share personal information with an unsolicited caller – hang up immediately and report to your bank or service provider.

Be Secure:

  • Do not trust caller ID—fraudsters can spoof numbers to make it appear as though they are calling from a legitimate company or bank.
  • Your bank will never ask you for your credit or debit card, PIN number or full online banking password.
  • Your bank will never ask you to transfer money to another account, even if they claim it’s for “safekeeping.”
  • Do not rush—take your time and verify any requests. Fraudsters may try to pressure you by creating a sense of urgency or making you feel uneasy.

Types of Fraud