ANZ know your customer scam: how the fake account check works
Quick answer
A text or email saying ANZ needs to verify or update your details, with a link to click, is a scam. ANZ is the bank scammers pretend to be. ANZ says it never asks for passwords, PINs or codes by email or SMS. Don't click, and contact ANZ through its app.
- Comes by
- Text, Email, Phone call
- Pretends to be
- ANZ
- Last updated
How it works
Banks do have to confirm customer details, and ANZ lists know-your-customer information among the reasons it may contact customers. Scammers borrow that reason.
The message says your account will be restricted or closed unless you verify your identity. It links to a page made to look like ANZ internet banking. If you type your login there, or a one-time code, the scammers have what they need to get into your account. Some follow up with a phone call from someone claiming to be ANZ's fraud team.
ANZ says it will never ask you to share passwords, PINs, ANZ Shield or token codes or one-time passcodes by email or SMS, click a login link, or move money to another account.
Red flags
- A text or email that tells you to verify your details through a link
- A threat that your account will be restricted or closed
- A sender address that's slightly off, such as a different domain from anz.com
- A request for a password, PIN or one-time code
- A caller who says they're from ANZ and asks you to move money to a "safe" account
- Unusual wording, formatting or urgency
Example message
ANZ: We need to complete a know your customer check. Your account will be restricted within 24 hours unless you verify your details at [link].
What to do
- 1
Don't click or call back
Don't use the link or any number in the message. Go to the ANZ app or type the ANZ address yourself.
- 2
Check with ANZ directly
Use the ANZ app, or the contact details on anz.com.au or the back of your card, and ask whether the request is real.
- 3
If you entered your details
Call ANZ right away on the number from its official site, so it can secure your account. Change your internet banking password.
- 4
If you shared a code or moved money
Tell ANZ immediately. Contact IDCARE (1800 595 160) for identity support if personal details were exposed.
- 5
Report it
Report the message to Scamwatch, and to ReportCyber if you lost money or details.
Report it
Check if your details are exposed with Serus
Scammers find your number and address on data brokers and people-search sites. Serus removes them.
Why you got it
Scammers send these to numbers and emails they've bought or scraped, and they sound more convincing when they have your name. Details like that sit on data broker and people-search sites and turn up in breaches. Serus finds where your phone number and address are listed and removes them, and alerts you when your details show up in a breach, so fewer scammers can reach you.
More ANZ scams
Frequently asked
Is the ANZ know your customer message real?
Banks do ask customers to confirm details, but ANZ says it doesn't send messages asking you to verify through a link or share passwords or codes. Check in the ANZ app.
Is ANZ a scam?
No. ANZ is a real bank. Scammers pretend to be it.
What does ANZ say it will never ask for?
Passwords, PINs, ANZ Shield or token codes and one-time passcodes by email or SMS, and it won't ask you to click a login link or move money to another account.
I clicked the link. What now?
Don't enter anything. If you did, call ANZ using the number on its official site straight away and change your password.
Sources
Something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we'll re-check it.
