General security tips

The Commonwealth Bank serves over 10 million customers throughout Australia and the rest of the world. Our customers choose us as providers of sound, secure and solid financial services. Our strength is built on confidence because we continue to deliver security in every facet of our business.

We are committed to maintaining an ethical workplace and we provide an avenue for Reporting Fraud and Unethical Behaviour (RFUB) for our service providers and suppliers. As such, we have a robust RFUB Process.

We are committed to providing a secure banking environment for our customers and we want to share some helpful hints and tips with you. When followed, these tips will help to reduce the cost of fraud to all and provide peace of mind when conducting your banking.

The following tips can help you minimise the possibility of fraud and help keep your financial future safe:

• Always check your statements and report any unauthorised transactions to the Bank immediately on 13 2221.
• Notify the Bank as soon as possible when you change your address, call 13 2221.
• Sign new credit/debit cards immediately upon receipt. Destroy old cards once they have expired.
• Memorise your PIN (Personal Identification Number) do not keep it with your card.
• Report lost/stolen cards, chequebooks or passbooks immediately on 13 2221.
• Do not disclose your PIN/Password or confidential details to any person.
• If you receive a call from anyone purporting to be Bank staff requesting your PIN or Password, BE SUSPICIOUS as Bank staff will not call you and ask for these.
• Do not disclose your personal or account information over the phone unless you initiated the call.

 

Scams

The Bank supports the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce in the promotion of ScamWatch, a website dedicated to the prevention of scams. If you have been the subject of fraud, call us on 13 2221 or visit your nearest Commonwealth Bank branch. 

Please be aware of scams such as the examples provided below. We cannot list all of them, but as a rule of thumb if the offer seems too good to be true then it probably is - be aware.

• Nigerian Scam - fraudsters have been sending out letters and emails inviting individuals to participate in a scheme that ultimately turns out to be non-existent. Usually, the letters purport to be from a government official who needs help in distributing millions of dollars out of the country in return for a cut of the money. Recipients of the letters are required to divulge bank account details and forward tens of thousands of dollars in "advance fees".
• Spanish Lottery Scam - victims of this scam receive a letter advising them they have won a large prize from the 'Spanish Lottery'. In order to collect the prize, they must send money before a certain date to a bank account in Spain to cover the cost of traces, bank fees, delivery and insurance costs.
• Email Employment Scam - victims of this scam are asked to provide their bank account details to prospective employers with the view to facilitate transfer of funds to overseas parties. The victims are told that, in return, they will be compensated by a commission payment. However the funds transferred have been obtained fraudulently. Do not provide bank account details to any prospective employer until you are satisfied with the bona fides of that employer and/or you have signed contracts of employment.
• Be aware of other scams, such as spam e-mails, chain letters and persons purporting to be representatives of government departments, financial institutions or other businesses.
• Do not give or send your name, bank account details, copies of your passport, birth certificate or any other personal details to anyone other than for legitimate purposes.
• Be suspicious of any correspondence received from overseas where you have been advised to forward large sums of money or that you have won a prize.

 

Identity theft

• When disposing of correspondence containing personal information, ensure that documents are destroyed properly or shredded.
• As a safeguard, lock your letterbox to help avoid your personal mail being stolen as thieves are known to use personal details.
• Share accommodation - don't leave your personal items unattended.
• If you believe you are a victim of identity theft, notify the Bank as soon as possible on 13 2221.

 

Cheques

• Keep your chequebook in a safe and secure place.
• Never pre-sign cheques.
• When posting cheques in the mail, cross the cheque 'Not Negotiable' and where possible, send it in a plain envelope not a window faced envelope.
• Do not use pencil to write your cheques. Use a pen or felt tip pen.
• Bank Cheques should not be considered as good as cash.

 

Passbooks

• Keep in a safe & secure place.
• Don't give your passbook to another person.
• Never pre-sign withdrawal forms.
• Immediately notify the Bank if your passbook has been lost or stolen on 13 2221.

 

Credit and debit cards

• Keep your credit or debit card in sight during a transaction.
• EFTPOS receipts should be kept secure. Destroy them if not needed.
• PINs should be kept secure. Always memorise the PIN and never keep it with your card.
• Don’t tell anyone your PIN not even a Bank representative.
• When using your credit card to make purchases via the internet, only deal with well known/reputable companies. Make sure that a padlock symbol appears in the right hand bottom corner of the web site indicating a secure operating environment.

 

Using ATMs

• Ensure that no one can observe you entering your PIN when using the ATM.
• Be discreet when withdrawing cash at an ATM.
• If you believe an ATM has been tampered with, do not use it and advise the nearest Commonwealth Bank or call our customer service centre on 13 2221.