Keeping yourself and your investment safe and secure
Let us know ASAP if you think you have been a victim of a scam
Protect yourself and your investments
Protecting yourself, your family and your investments from scams and identity theft can save you a lot of inconvenience, disruption and money. We have compiled a list of tips to help you protect yourself.
General
- Keep your computer up to date by installing the latest security software and 'patches' for your operating system.
- Ensure you have anti-virus/spyware software installed, along with a firewall – and keep them up to date.
- Make sure you have a current backup of your important personal information/files.
- Delete spam emails and do not open email attachments or click on links in emails from strangers.
- Do not respond to an unsolicited email asking you for personal information or financial details.
- Be aware of email, internet and telephone hoaxes and scams – if something appears too good to be true, it almost certainly is.
- If possible avoid using shared computers, such as those at internet cafes, hotels and airports.
- For more information on how to keep yourself secure online please visit the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC).
Phone
- Criminals use phones as the number one delivery method for scams.
- Never allow anyone to access your computer/device remotely.
- Never provide your Leveraged Online access password to anyone.
- Do not respond to unsolicited calls, SMS or email asking you for personal information or financial details.
- Delete spam emails and do not open SMS or email attachments or click on links in SMS or emails from strangers.
- Be aware of email, internet and telephone hoaxes and scams - if something appears too good to be true, it almost certainly is.
- For more information about protecting yourself from scams, refer to ACCC Scamwatch website for more information.
Online
- Don’t open suspicious texts, pop up windows or click on links or attachments in unsolicited emails – delete them.
- Don’t enter or provide your card number to unsolicited sites or callers.
- Don’t respond to phone calls about your computer asking for remote access – hang up.
- Keep your personal details secure.
- Choose your passwords carefully.
- Review your privacy and security settings on social media.
- Beware of any requests for your personal details or money.
- If you think you have been a victim of a scam, you need to let us know as soon as possible by calling us.
Protecting your children
Increasingly, children are being targeted online and can be vulnerable to aggressive behaviour and criminal activity.
Children are soft targets – they use the internet regularly and interact via social media, but they're often too inexperienced to recognise when they are being deceived.
Education is the best way to help protect your children.
To access advice and resources specifically designed with parents and children in mind visit the following websites:
- Australian Government's eSafety Kids website and the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC)
- The eSmart Schools website, a world first initiative
- The ThinkUKnow website for parents, carers, teachers and young people 11-17 years old
Cheque fraud
Not many people use cheques these days, but cheque fraud is still prevalent.
Consider the following tips to help reduce cheque fraud:
- Keep your chequebook in a safe and secure place.
- Never pre-sign cheques.
- When mailing cheques, cross the cheque 'Not Negotiable' and send it in a plain envelope without a window.
- Use a pen or felt tip pen to write on your cheques, never pencil.
- Bank Cheques should not be considered as good as cash.
- Don't accept cheques in excess of the agreed price where you are asked to transfer/deposit the balance to a specific account.
For more information on cheque fraud visit the Australia Competition and Consumer Commission's Scam Watch website.
Scam alert update
Scams cost Australian consumers, businesses and the economy hundreds of millions of dollars each year and cause serious emotional harm to victims and their families.
In 2021, combined scam losses reported to Scamwatch, banks and other government agencies was $1.8 billion. One third of victims do not report scams, so actual losses were well over $2 billion.
In 2021, combined scam losses reported to Scamwatch, banks and other government agencies was $1.8 billion. One third of victims do not report scams, so actual losses were well over $2 billion.
How to spot a scam:
- A threat if you don’t pay immediately.
- An unexpected request that can’t wait.
- A link to update your personal details.
- An immediate payment so you don’t miss out.
- An attachment or link you weren’t expecting.
Remember:
- Stop and check.
- Protect your personal information.
- Be careful with payments.
- Verify before you buy.
- Research any opportunity that is too good to be true.
Investment scams
Investment scams will be masked as an offer to purchase:
- cryptocurrency (like Bitcoin);
- business ventures;
- superannuation schemes;
- managed funds; or
- sale of shares or property.
Scammers will create ‘opportunities’ with professional brochures, websites and advertisement. These mask fraudulent activities and trick individuals into taking up the offer.
How to protect yourself
- Before putting money into an investment, do some of your own research. You can check if the company has an Australian Financial Services Licence by visiting www.moneysmart.gov.au
- Watch out for offers promoting the ability to have easy and early access to your superannuation.
- Don’t be pressured into making an investment decision about your money, especially if you’re presented with an opportunity via unsolicited email or phone call. Always seek advice from a reputable financial advisor or raise any concerns with our team.
Have you received a suspicious SMS?
If you have received a suspicious SMS message claiming to be from us, you can forward it to us for investigation.
Please take care not to click on the link while doing so.
Alternatively, you can take a screenshot of the SMS message and email it to phishing@bendigoadelaide.com.au
Apple device:
- Tap and hold your finger on the SMS message until the pop-up options ‘Copy/More’ appear.
- Select ‘More’.
- Then click the arrow in the bottom right corner to ‘Share/Forward’.
- Type 0429 557 997 as the recipient, and press ‘Send’.
- You can then delete the original and the forwarded version of the SMS message.
Android device:
- Tap and hold your finger on the SMS message until the three-dot menu icon appears in the top right corner.
- Tap the three-dot menu icon.
- Select ‘Forward’.
- Type 0429 557 997 as the recipient, and press ‘Send’.
- You can then delete the original and the forwarded version of the SMS message.
Get in touch
Phone
1300 307 807
+61 2 8282 8282 (If calling from overseas)
8:30am - 5:30pm AEST/AEDT
Monday - Friday
Online
Send us an online enquiry or email customerservice@leveraged.com.au
GPO Box 5388,
Sydney, NSW, 2001
