If you've sent money or shared your banking details with a scammer, contact your financial institution immediately. They may be able to stop a transaction, or close your account if the scammer has your account details.
But if scammers gain access to your bank account number, they can use it for fraudulent ACH transfers or payments. For example, scammers could use your bank account details to buy products online. Or worse, they could trick you into sending them money that you'll never be able to get back.
The bank is just your first call. Report the fraud to the fraud department of all three credit reporting agencies, Equifax , Experian , and TransUnion . File a report with your local police department, and the Federal Trade Commission's department that deals with identity theft.
With your personal information, scammers can: access and drain your bank account. open new bank accounts in your name and take out loans or lines of credit. take out phone plans and other contracts.
First let's clear up one myth - giving out your bank account number and BSB is fine. "There is no issue in giving out your BSB/account details as it's only possible to deposit funds rather than withdraw funds," an ING spokesperson told Money. "If an unauthorised debit occurs then the debiting institution is liable."
Direct Debit fraud occurs when a debit is taken from your account without the proper authority from you set out in a valid Direct Debit request. Sometimes this has happened when BSB and account numbers published online or in a public document have been used via Direct Debit to debit accounts.
To keep your information safe, we suggest only providing your BSB and account number to people you know and trust (such as family, friends or your employer etc.)
If a hacker manages to access your financial details through your compromised account, such as debit or credit card information, the impact can be crippling. Hackers can use your details to make online purchases, depleting the funds in your account or worse, open up additional accounts, run up credit and take out ...
If scammers have access to your phone number, they could potentially use it to hack into your online accounts — including your email, social media, and even your bank account.
The first thing you should do is contact your bank or payment service provider to explain what's happened. You should tell them about a suspected scam or a disputed payment as soon as you can. We share more detail about common types of fraud and what to do if you think you have been affected by a scam.
You should contact your bank straight away and let them know. Keep a record of all conversations you have with the bank and copies of letters to do with the fraud. The bank will investigate, take action to protect your accounts and refer the crime to the police.
Contact your bank or card provider to alert them. Reporting is an important first step to getting your money back, and you could be liable for all money lost before you report it. If you've been targeted, even if you don't fall victim, you can report it to Action Fraud.
The easiest way to become a victim of a bank scam is to share your banking info — e.g., account numbers, PIN codes, social security number — with someone you don't know well and trust. If someone asks for sensitive banking details, proceed with caution.
There are a few benefits of changing your cell phone number after you have been victimized. One benefit is outright stopping criminals from using your number to commit crimes. Another is keeping your information safe if it was sold on the dark web as part of a data breach.
Can someone hack my bank account with just my phone number? It's unlikely, but possible. If a cybercriminal has your phone number, they might attempt to gather more information about you to gain access to your bank account.
Your banking and personal details should be kept private and off social media. Even sharing them with friends could put them at risk. Fraudsters can send an email or text to try to steal your details. Scam messages come out of the blue and pretend to be from a person or company you now.
If you do enter the wrong account or BSB number the payment will be made to the wrong account (unintended recipient). This is known as a mistaken internet payment. The ePayments Code sets out a process that will help consumers get your money back if it has gone to the wrong account.
Contact your bank immediately to let them know what's happened and ask if you can get a refund. Most banks should reimburse you if you've transferred money to someone because of a scam.
Stop all contact with the scammer
Once you realise you are being scammed, do not continue the conversation. Hang up the phone. Don't reply to emails or letters scammers have sent you. If you have been scammed online, block the scammer from contacting you.
It's also possible hackers could use your email account to gain access to your bank account or credit card information, draining funds from an account, or racking up charges. They might even use your email and password to sign up for online sites and services, sticking you with monthly fees in the process.
What they want are account numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers, and other confidential information that they can use to loot your checking account or run up bills on your credit cards. Identity thieves can take out loans or obtain credit cards and even driver's licenses in your name.
The ACSC is here to help all Australians affected by cyber incidents. Call our hotline 24/7 on 1300 CYBER1 (1300 292 371) if you need help or go to ReportCyber.