ANZ is urging Australians to increase their vigilance against online scams this Mother's Day, encouraging open dialogue within families to enhance scam awareness. The focus is on "Hi Mum" scams, which involve fraudulent messages or calls from individuals pretending to be loved ones in urgent need of financial help.
The bank cautions against impersonation scams that frequently target mothers by impersonating their children. Scammers use text messages, social media, and phone calls creatively to mimic communication styles, making their deceit more convincing.
Ruth Talalla, ANZ Scams Portfolio Lead, advises regular family check-ins to adapt to the evolving scam landscape. "As scam tactics become more advanced, it’s vital Australians know how to recognise the warning signs," she emphasizes.
ANZ also points to an increase in online shopping scams targeting gift shoppers around Mother's Day. Talalla warns that scammers exploit these occasions: "Scammers are especially opportunistic in the lead up to special occasions like Mother’s Day. Whether by posing as relatives or brands and sellers online, we’re reminding Australians to ensure the whole family knows how to watch out for red flags such as inconsistent or unfamiliar contact information, significantly cheaper offers compared with other sellers, or any deal that seems too good to be true."
Common indicators of impersonation scams include unknown contacts, unexpected messages from loved ones, and urgent requests for money. Verification of the contact's identity is recommended before responding to such requests.
Online shopping fraud signs include mismatched domain names, unusual payment methods, and overly positive reviews. Careful inspection of these factors is suggested when encountering unfamiliar brands.
ANZ has introduced several initiatives to combat these scams. Notably, the Digital Padlock feature, launched in March, allows customers to secure their accounts when targeted by cybercriminals. In 2025 alone, over 90,000 personalized warnings have been issued regarding risky Internet Banking activities. The ANZ First Responder team has fielded 140,000 customer calls with a 93% success rate in resolving issues at the first contact.
Customers impacted by scams are advised to contact ANZ immediately at 13 13 14 or visit their website for assistance. More information on scam types and prevention is available at the ANZ security page.
ANZ has also launched Scam Safe, an initiative designed to raise community awareness about evolving scams. To stay protected, customers are encouraged to practice caution, never share personal information, and pay attention to details.