ASB has warned of a rise in sophisticated bank scams targeting customers. Photo / 123rf
ASB has warned of a rise in sophisticated bank scams targeting customers. Photo / 123rf
One of the country’s top banks is warning scams are on the rise, with customers targeted by “very sophisticated” impersonation attempts to gain access to people’s accounts.
ASB general manager of fraud and scams Richard Joseph has revealed a new wave of scammers have been asking people to verbally shareverification codes to access online banking, or directing them to fake bank websites to enter details.
Those behind the scams are claiming they have detected fraudulent activity on a person’s bank account, in order to appear more convincing, Joseph said.
“While our fraud team may call customers to verify unusual transactions, we won’t ask for login credentials,” he said.
“We will never ask for your banking passwords, PIN, verification codes sent through your mobile phone or codes from your token.
ASB has revealed a new wave of scammers have been asking people to verbally share verification codes to access online banking, or directing them to fake bank websites to enter details. Photo / Michael Craig
“If anyone claiming to be ASB can’t send a Caller Check notification, or if a customer receives a Caller Check anywhere other than the ASB mobile banking app, it’s likely a scam,” Joseph said.
“If anyone is in doubt about whether they’re really speaking to their bank, hang up and call back on one of its publicly listed numbers.”
Scams like those targeting ASB customers are thought to cost Kiwis $3 billion annually.
Netsafe and the Global Anti-Scam Alliance’s “State of Scams in New Zealand” report shows scammers are getting more sophisticated and victims are facing persistent barriers to reporting and recovering their losses.
