Protecting Yourself Against Common Scams

‍Understanding Common Threats

• Identity Theft: This is a malicious act where someone wrongfully acquires and   uses another person's information for financial gain or fraudulent activities. This can happen through mail theft, phishing emails, hacking, data breaches, or even when applying for jobs online. Once your identity is stolen, it can take years to rectify the damage.
• Remote Access Scams (Technical Support Scams): With the rise of remote work, these scams have become more prevalent. A scammer contacts you (via phone, email, text, or pop-ups) and deceives you into giving them remote access to your device and personal data. They often pose as someone from a     reputable organisation (like your bank, a telco, or tech support) and use fear or intimidation to gain your cooperation.

Practical Steps to Protect Yourself

Follow these essential tips to safeguard your personal and financial information:

1. Be Suspicious of Unsolicited Contact:
   
    
   • Stop: Don't give money or personal information to anyone you don't know who contacts you unexpectedly. Scammers will pretend to be from organisations or people you know and trust.
    
   • Think: Could the message or call be fake? Scammers often pressure victims with urgency. Slow down and think clearly.
    
   • Protect: Act quickly if something feels wrong. Contact your IMB Bank immediately if you notice unusual activity or if a scammer gets your money or information.
 
2. Protect Your Login Details and Personal Information:
   
    
   • Never Disclose Sensitive Information: Never disclose your login details,      PINs, SMS authentication codes, passwords, or answers to security      questions to anyone. A reputable organisation or financial institution will NEVER ask you for this information via phone, email, or SMS.
    
   • Verify Contact: If you think a call is legitimate, confirm the caller's      identity. Ask for their name and contact details, then advise you will      call them back. Validate their contact details by looking up the      organisation's official website and calling the advertised number – never call back on details provided by the caller.
    
   • Avoid Unsolicited Links/Attachments: Never click a link or open an      attachment in a message you didn't expect. Only contact businesses or      government using information from their official website or secure apps.
 
3. Secure Your Devices and Online Environment:
   
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   • Regularly Update Security: Regularly update your computer and digital devices with security protections such as anti-virus, anti-spyware software, and firewalls from a reputable provider.
    
   • Strong Passwords: Select passwords that are difficult to guess, lengthy, and contain a mixture of both alphabetical and numeric characters. Avoid   connections to your personal life.
    
   • Beware of Pop-ups: Be aware of pop-ups advising you that you need to fix your computer and can do so by calling a particular number – these are often scam attempts.
    
   • No Remote Access for Strangers: Never give a stranger or unsolicited contact remote access to your computer. If asked, hang up.
    
   • Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Wherever possible, enable MFA across all your online accounts for an added layer of security.
4. Manage your financial security:
   • Monitor Accounts: Regularly monitor your bank transactions, credit card, and online shopping accounts for any suspicious activity.
    
   • Transaction Notifications & Payment Limits: Consider enabling transaction notifications and reducing your payment limits in Internet Banking or the Mobile App.
    
   • Do Not Transfer Money for Strangers: Do not undertake financial      transactions for people you have not physically met and only have an      online relationship.

If You Think Your Information is Compromised

• Contact IMB Immediately: If you suspect unauthorised access has occurred or your details have been compromised, contact IMB on 133 462 (8 am to 8 pm, Monday to Friday; 9 am to 4 pm on Saturdays).
• Report to Authorities: Report the scam to the Police and/or via ScamWatch (scamwatch.gov.au). If identity theft is suspected, IDCARE (idcare.org) is a free government-funded service that can help you develop a response plan.
• Review Credit Report: Request a free copy of your consumer credit report     every three months and review it for any fraudulent activity.

Staying informed and practicing good cyber hygiene are your best defences against common scams. For the latest security updates, please visit the IMB Security Articles page.