Alert! Beware of Bank Debit Set Up Scam Messages
Phone Phishing
Watch for fraudulent text messages claiming you have set up a direct debit payment on your bank account. I have received several of these over the last week. The messages specify the amount of the supposed direct debit and name the supposed recipient.
The messages then urge you to call a number if you did not set up the payment.
Your bank did not send the messages. Instead, they are scams designed to trick you into divulging your personal and financial information to criminals.
These messages aim to panic people into quickly calling the number. Of course, if you believe the text is from your bank and know nothing about the debit payment described, you might be inclined to call immediately to sort the issue out.
If you do call the number, a scammer posing as a bank staff member will pretend to open a fraud investigation on your behalf. During this supposed investigation, they will ask you to provide your bank login details, PIN, name and contact details, ID, and other personal information. Sometimes, they may even arrange for a courier to come to your home and collect your payment cards and documents.
Once they have your information, the criminals can drain your bank account, steal your identity and commit credit card fraud.
The example displayed below targets customers of the Commonwealth Bank, a large Australian bank and claims that the payment is for the Australian airline QANTAS. Alternative versions use the names of many other well-known banks and companies worldwide.
Variants of the scam are also distributed via email. If you receive a text or email like this, do not call the phone number it contains. Do not click any links in the message.
If unsure, contact your bank directly via its official website or phone.
A screenshot of the scam text:
