As Australians recover from the impacts of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) is calling on its customers and the wider community to remain vigilant against scammers. These fraudsters are taking advantage of the crisis by posing as trusted entities, including banks, insurance companies, and disaster relief organizations, to deceive individuals into providing personal information or executing payments.
ANZ emphasizes the importance of being cautious during these vulnerable times. "Scammers can disguise themselves as recovery support, manipulating those affected by the crisis into sharing sensitive information or making fraudulent payments under false pretenses," noted ANZ Head of Customer Protection, Shaq Johnson.
Mr. Johnson warned that scammers leverage urgency and confusion to exploit victims, advising individuals to pause and carefully consider any unexpected requests. "Staying vigilant and taking simple precautions can help safeguard your recovery journey and prevent further setbacks during an already challenging time," he stated.
The bank also offers advice on how to detect scams:
- Verify the source of communications and use official contacts to check their authenticity.
- Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited messages as legitimate organizations do not ask for personal information this way.
- Be skeptical of fake charity appeals and verify them through official channels such as the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.
- Look for poor grammar or spelling in communications, a common red flag for scams.
- Trust only official ANZ correspondence and understand that the bank will never request sensitive information through an unsolicited link.
ANZ remains committed to collaborating with other financial institutions, industries, governments, and law enforcement to counter scam trends effectively. Their protection teams work around the clock, and customers suspecting scam activity are urged to contact ANZ immediately at 13 33 50 or visit their website for more information.
Reacting to the situation, ANZ activated a relief package on March 5, 2025, for those impacted by Cyclone Alfred. The bank encourages its customers to reach out early to discuss potential assistance tailored to their specific needs. Additionally, ANZ Home and Contents Insurance policyholders affected by the cyclone may qualify for emergency support.
For further details on identifying scams and protective measures, individuals are directed to visit ANZ's security webpage.