Queenslanders targeted in latest bank email scam

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Kerry Shine, today urged Queensland consumers and businesses to be on the lookout for the latest online "phishing" scam.

"The Office of Fair Trading has received a report of a fake email using the name, logo and Australian Business Number (ABN) of a major bank trying to convince people that it is a genuine request for information," Mr Shine said.

"The email looks official and informs the recipient that the bank's scheduled account maintenance and verification procedures have detected an error in their billing information.

"The recipient is told to open the link to a website and provide personal and bank account details on an interactive form.

"Anyone who receives this email should not respond but rather delete it immediately, preferably before opening it."

Mr Shine said none of Australia's major banks or financial institutions contacted their customers via personal email.

"Neither consumers nor businesses should ever provide their online banking information to anyone - even if the request comes in an email that appears to be from their bank," he said.

There are some basic rules people should follow when banking or conducting financial transactions online to avoid becoming victims of theft or identity fraud:

• Never disclose your internet banking or other passwords to anyone else.
• If you think you have been scammed or your password has been compromised, act quickly and contact your bank.
• Always access your bank's official website by typing in the web address or by using your 'favourites', rather than by clicking on a hyperlink in an email.
• Always log out of net banking pages when you have finished.
• Follow your bank's internet banking security instructions.
  Get an effective virus protection program and firewall and regularly download the latest version.
• Delete suspicious emails without opening them and avoid opening suspect attachments, even if the email seems to come from someone you trust.

Scams can also be reported to the Office of Fair Trading at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or www.scamwatch.gov.au.

For more information about scams, visit the Office of Fair Trading website or phone 13 13 04.

25 January, 2008
Media contact: Tim Goodwin / Jamie Byron (Attorney-General’s office) 3239 3478