ANZ has warned customers and the wider public in Tonga to be on alert following reports of scammers impersonating bank representatives to obtain personal and financial information.
The warning follows reports of unsolicited phone calls in which fraudsters allegedly posed as ANZ staff and requested account numbers, birth certificates and information about customers’ sources of funds, claiming the details were needed to update banking records.
The bank said the suspicious calls were not limited to ANZ customers, raising concerns that members of the wider community could also be targeted.
ANZ Head of Retail Pacific Melanie Culling said scammers could sound convincing and use pressure tactics to persuade people to disclose sensitive information.
“Scammers can sound convincing and may create a sense of urgency to encourage people to share information or act quickly,” Ms Culling said.
“If you receive an unexpected call, message or email claiming to be from ANZ, stop and check before doing anything.”
Bank warns against deception
ANZ acknowledged that it may legitimately contact customers to update their records or comply with customer identification requirements.
However, it advised anyone uncertain about a caller’s identity to end the conversation and contact the bank independently through its official communication channels.
“Never share sensitive banking information such as your PIN, card security code, or Visa Secure one-time passcodes, and never transfer money to a so-called ‘safe’ account at someone else’s request,” Ms Culling said.
The bank also warned against unexpected requests to click links, visit unfamiliar websites, download software or provide personal documents.
Three steps against scammers
ANZ encouraged customers to follow three precautions under its Stop, Check and Protect campaign.
- Stop: Pause before responding to suspicious requests.
- Check: Independently verify the identity of anyone claiming to represent the bank.
- Protect: Do not disclose sensitive information, grant remote access to devices or transfer money when a request appears suspicious.
Anyone who believes they may have fallen victim to a scam should contact ANZ immediately through an official banking channel.