Helping you stay safe from scams

Australians lost more than $2.97 billion to scams in 2023 according to Scamwatch, opens in new window, opens in new window. Scams can have a devastating impact, both financially and emotionally.

That’s why we’re proud to partner with the ACCC’s National Anti-Scam Centre, opens in new window, opens in new window to support Scams Awareness Week.

NAB and other supporters are aiming to reduce the impact of scams on Australians, by helping them identify scams and stop crime before it happens.

The Big Scam Education Conversation, hosted by NAB, was held on Thursday 29 August 2024.

Our security experts shared insights about the latest scams, common red flags and ways to protect yourself, your loved ones and your business.

View The Big Scam Education Conversation.

What is NAB doing to help stop scams?

We have a bank-wide scam strategy in place with a range of actions to help tackle the scam epidemic:

  • We’ve introduced payment alerts, opens in new window to the NAB app and NAB Internet Banking. Customers might receive an alert if a payment seems suspicious. This has led to more than $100 million in suspicious payments being abandoned in 15 months.
  • We were the first major bank to remove links, opens in new window from text messages to customers, to help customers differentiate between legitimate and scam messages.
  • We proactively work with telcos, opens in new window to address phone scams impersonating NAB numbers.
  • We’re launching an education campaign to help Australians recognise the red flags of scams.

Detecting scams

You can detect the red flags of a scam. Here are common ones to look out for:

  • A person or message urging you to act quickly, whether it’s a threat to make an urgent payment, upfront payments, or a limited opportunity too good to miss.
  • A person or message asking you to update or provide your personal details, such as name, date of birth, address, banking details or passwords, or asking to remotely access your device.
  • Any payment method request via unsecure or unusual methods, such as cryptocurrencies, gift cards, or via an overseas money remitting service.
  • A suspicious message claiming someone has new contact details or asking for a payment to new bank account details.
  • Anyone offering unsolicited financial or investment advice or claiming you can make fast or guaranteed money with little to no risk.
  • A request to move your money to "keep it safe".

When we need to contact you

Our Fraud team may need to get in touch with you if we’re concerned about your account. So it’s important to understand what we will and won’t ask.

We’ll never ask you to:

  • Provide your one-time code for authorising transactions.
  • Transfer money to another account to keep it safe (it’s safe where it is).
  • Give us remote access to your devices.
  • Provide personal information such as driver’s licence details.

We may ask you to:

  • Provide your full legal name.
  • Explain or confirm the details of a payment.
  • Provide more details about the person you’re sending funds to and how you communicate with them.

These questions are designed to help us understand the likelihood of you being involved in a scam or fraud, so that we can protect your account.

If you’re a NAB customer and believe you may have fallen victim to a scam, please report it to us immediately.

Helpful resources

These organisations can provide you with the information, resources and tools you need to protect yourself from scams.

  • The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), opens in new window brings cyber security capabilities from across the Australian Government together into a single location. It’s the hub for private and public-sector collaboration and information-sharing to combat cyber security threats.

  • ReportCyber, opens in new window is a secure reporting and referral service for cyber-crime and online incidents which may be in breach of Australian law. The ReportCyber website provides a cyber-crime reporting mechanism as well as helpful information about cyber-crime.

  • Scamwatch, opens in new window provides information to consumers and small businesses about how to recognise, avoid and report scams using publications, videos and other online resources.

  • The Office of the eSafety Commissioner, opens in new window provides online safety education for Australian children and young people, as well as a complaints service for young Australians who experience serious cyberbullying and address illegal online content.

  • The Attorney-General’s Department website, opens in new window provides helpful information and resources about your rights and protections about identity security, freedom of information and cyber security. The Department has developed a range of resources to assist people to protect their identity and recover from the effects of identity crime.

  • IDCARE, opens in new window is Australia and New Zealand's not-for-profit counselling and support service set up to assist Australians impacted by identity theft and cyber-related crimes.

    IDCARE can assist NAB customers to navigate through the process when identity details or credentials have been compromised through fraud or scams. IDCARE is a free service for all Australians.

Learn more about protecting yourself from scam

Report fraud and scams

Learn what to do in the event of fraud or scams, and how to identify if you’re a victim.

How to spot scam phone calls

Learn how to recognise scam calls and keep your details safe when on the phone.

How to identify spam and phishing messages

Be on the lookout for suspicious messages and avoid being a target of cyber-criminals.

Contact us

Email us

If you receive a suspicious email message, report it immediately.

phish@nab.com.au

Text us

If you receive a suspicious text message, report it immediately.
047 NAB 0003

0476 220 003

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