Security

Practise good cyber hygiene

The following tips will assist you in Practising Good Cyber Hygiene:

• Never give anyone, especially anyone who has contacted you via an unsolicited means, access to your computer, tablet or phone.
• Never type your Internet Banking or Mobile Banking App log-in into a computer, tablet or phone at the request of others.
• Never use a hyperlink in an email or text to log-in to Internet Banking or undertake a financial transaction. Only log-in to Internet Banking via our website address as disclosed on your account statements.
• Never reply to an email or SMS that requests your personal information.
• Never show or tell anyone, including the Bank, your Access Code, PIN or One-Time Passwords associated with your Internet Banking or Mobile Banking App.
• Regularly check scamwatch.gov.au to learn about the latest types of scams.
• Regularly check the Security pages on our website for updates.

Please report suspicious emails, text messages and phone calls immediately to Teachers Mutual Bank by contacting us.

Recent scams reported to Teachers Mutual Bank:

Types of scams

• Flubot
• Romance scams
• Remote access scams
• Hoax emails
• Virus or Trojan emails
• NBN scam

Flubot

Since August 2021, many Australians have been receiving scam text messages about missed calls, voicemails or deliveries. The text messages ask you to click on a link to download an App to track or organise a time for a delivery, or hear a voicemail message. However, the message is fake and the App is actually malicious software known as Flubot.

Both Android phones and iPhones can receive these scam texts. Messages contain a website URL followed by 6-8 random letters and numbers, and can include:

• scheduling a delivery time
• tracking a delivery
• managing a delivery that is ‘in transit’ or will be ‘delivered soon’
• telling you it's your last chance to arrange pick up/delivery of a parcel
• asking you to enter your details to receive a package

If you click on the link and downloads the App, your phone will be infected. Once installed, the App can read and send text messages, make calls and access contacts from your phone. If you receive one of these messages, do not click or tap on the link. Delete the text immediately.

More information on the Flubot scam is available at: Scamwatch.

Romance scams

One of the most common scams reported to Teachers Mutual Bank are Romance scams. These days, it’s very common to meet a new friend online, on online dating websites and social media platforms like Facebook. However, it’s important to be cautious of people who are especially interested in getting money out of you.

Be wary if:

• After only a short time, they claim to have developed strong feelings for you and wish to meet/talk outside the legitimate dating or chat site.
• Their online profile is not consistent with what they tell you.
• They tell elaborate stories to gain your trust and sympathy.
• They may not ask for money immediately, but tell you about their problems, often relating to topics that tug at your heartstrings (for example, about children, elderly relatives and pets).
• If you don’t send money when asked, they become impatient and persistent.
• You suggest a Skype meeting, but their camera is never working.

Be careful when sharing information about yourself, including photos, videos, and details of friends and family.

Remote access scams

Another type of scam that has been reported to Teachers Mutual Bank is remote access scams. How this works is fraudsters will call you pretending to work for a well-known telecommunications company. They may claim there is a virus on your computer and they need your assistance to catch the hackers by gaining remote access to your computer.

No matter how professional the caller may sound, never allow them to have access to your computer or give out your personal details over the phone. Instead hang up immediately and contact your Telco directly to report the incident.

Hoax emails

Fraudsters may also try to contact you via email. One of the common types of hoax emails is phishing scams. The email will allege it is from an organisation, requesting confirmation of personal details such as account numbers, credit card details, Internet Banking logins, PINS, passwords, mobile numbers or access codes.

Details entered into a fraudulent website can then be used on the real website to commit fraud. These hoax emails often look genuine, with the same logo and branding as the actual organisation. It’s important to keep in mind, Teachers Mutual Bank will never ask you to provide your confidential banking information via email. If you receive any suspicious emails, please refer these to Teachers Mutual Bank immediately.

Virus or Trojan emails

Scam emails don’t always try to get you to directly reveal your personal details. Instead they may send links and attachments that upon clicking may infect your computer by installing malicious software (Malware).

If you open the attachment or click on the link in the email, the malware will try to install itself automatically on your computer, depending on the security software on your computer. The malicious software is designed to capture any information that you enter into online services such as internet banking, and send it back to a criminal who can use it for fraud.

There are many email scams designed to compromise online user credentials or personal information, in order to illegally obtain funds. These unsolicited emails are sent in high volumes to random email addresses in the hope that they will find banking customers.

NBN scam

There are confirmed reports that scammers are impersonating the NBN and calling or doorknocking people to request personal information which is then used fraudulently. Please ensure that you never give a third party any of your personal banking details such as access code, passwords or member number; and never give them remote access to your computer. The NBN has stated they will never make unsolicited calls or doorknock to sell broadband services to the public.

If you suspect you have already been impacted by this scam, contact us immediately.

For more information on NBN scams, visit the official Scamwatch website

What to do if you suspect a scam

If you receive a suspicious phone call hang up immediately and contact the company directly to report the incident. For unsolicited emails, do not click on any links, open attachments or enter any personal information as they may expose your computer to viruses, worms, trojans, rootkits or spyware.

Teachers Mutual Bank does not send emails requesting you to confirm or disclose your internet banking login information.

To report suspected fraud or scams, contact us here.