Data shows Australians lost 2.03 billion dollars to scams in 20241. Even while this is better than in past years, the figures are still startling, and although the tactics are evolving, the objective remains the same: defraud you of your money.

 

At Queensland Country Bank your financial wellbeing is our priority. We are shedding light on three common scams impacting Australians right now: bank impersonation, remote access and buying/selling scams. This is a reminder to stay alert and protect your information and your money.

 

Key scams to look for:

NASC Targeting Scams Report - March 2025

1. Bank Impersonation Scams

  • Scammers pretend to be from your bank using phone calls, texts or emails.
  • They pressure you to transfer money to a "safe account" or click a fake link.
  • Scamwatch reports this is one of the fastest growing scam types.

 

2. Remote Access Scams

  • Someone calls claiming to be from your bank, internet provider or even tech support.
  • They convince you to download software or grant remote access to “fix a problem”.
  • Once in, they can drain your accounts within minutes.

 

3. Buying and Selling Scams

  • Common on platforms like Facebook, Marketplace, Gumtree and eBay.
  • Scammers post as buyers or sellers, luring you in with fake payment confirmations, overpayment tricks or goods that never arrived. ASIC warns these scams are costing Australians millions every year.

 

Quick tips to help keep you safe:

Stop. Check. Protect.

Stop - scammers often rely on creating urgency and pressure, so the best defence is to stop, pause and check before acting. Queensland Country Bank will never ask you to transfer money to a “safe” account, share your password or PIN, or allow remote access to your device.

Check - be cautious of unsolicited calls or texts and never download software or click links from unknown sources. While buying or selling online, always confirm that payments have cleared in your own account before handing over the goods, and don’t rely on screenshots or emails as proof.

Protect - if something feels off, stop and contact us directly using our Contact Centre number: 1800 075 078.

 

What to do if you suspect a scam:

  • Stop all communications immediately.
  • Contact Queensland Country Bank straight away – we’re here to help.
  • Report it via Scamwatch.

 

Scammers are getting smarter but together we can stay one step ahead.

 

 

1 Scamwatch, ReportCyber, the Australian Financial Crimes Exchange (AFCX), IDCARE, Australian Securities and investments Commission (ASIC)).

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