Commonwealth Bank is providing Emergency Assistance to personal and business customers in flood-affected areas in the Mid-North Coast and Hunter region of New South Wales.
Retail Banking Services Group Executive, Angus Sullivan, said: “With communities across the Mid-North Coast and Hunter region in NSW being impacted by flood waters, our priority is to ensure our customers have access to the support they need. We’ve activated a range of emergency assistance measures and encourage anyone affected to reach out. We’re here to help you navigate the challenges ahead.”
CBA understands each customer will have different needs and encourages those affected to discuss their individual circumstances by either contacting the bank in the CommBank app, phoning 1800 314 695 or visiting their nearest Commonwealth Bank branch, if safe to do so. Business customers can call 1800 314 695 or speak with their dedicated CommBank relationship manager.
Special arrangements are in place to provide support to Commonwealth Bank customers should they need it, and the CBA team is ready to assist them with any financial concerns or enquiries.
For more information on the support we're providing to impacted communities, visit: commbank.com.au/support/emergency-assistance
CBA Emergency Assistance includes a range of options, including:
- Customised payment arrangements for home loans, business loans, personal loans and credit cards;
- Waiving fees and charges, including waiving fees for temporary and damaged merchant EFTPOS terminals, as well as support with merchant terminal rental fees;
- Temporary overdrafts, additional loans or emergency credit limit increases (subject to credit approval);
- Waiving fees and notice periods for early access to term deposits (including Farm Management Term Deposits);
- Emergency accommodation may be available for customers who have taken out home insurance provided by Hollard, distributed by CommBank, subject to making a claim and policy terms and conditions;
- Helping direct claims enquiries for customers seeking support through their home insurance provided by Hollard, distributed by CommBank.
For emergency help during flooding call the State Emergency Service on 132 500. Alternatively, visit NSW State Emergency Service SES. In a life-threatening emergency call 000 (triple zero).
During this time customers should also remain vigilant and be extra cautious of unexpected calls or messages claiming to be from well-known organisations including banks, telecommunications companies and government agencies. Unfortunately, scammers and fraudsters seek to take advantage of these situations.
CommBank will never send customers links in text messages directing them to sites that ask for passwords, and customers should never click on any of these they receive.
If customers receive an unexpected call claiming to be from CommBank, they should ask the caller to verify the legitimacy of the call by using CallerCheck which triggers a security message in the CommBank app.
How customers can better protect themselves from scams
- Stop: Does a call, email or text seem off? The best thing to do is stop. Take a breath. Real organisations won’t put you under pressure to act instantly.
- Check: Ask someone you trust or contact the organisation the message claims to be from.
- Reject: If you’re unsure, hang up on the caller, delete the email, block the phone number.
- Change your passwords.
