How to identify scams.
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Have you been scammed?
Contact us now
Call us on 13 17 19. We can help prevent further loss or improve your chances of recovering your funds by:
- Locking your cards
- Resetting passwords
- Placing holds on your online banking.
Change your passwords and PINs
If you have been scammed, change your passwords and PINs right away. It’s also a good idea, as a precaution, to update your details regularly.
Report the scam
If you’ve received a suspicious message like a fake email or think your details have been comprised:
- Don’t open any links in suspicious emails or texts
- Forward scam emails to abuse@bankwest.com.au
- Report the scam to scamwatch.gov.au
- Contact the police on 13 14 44 if fraud has happened
- Speak to IDCARE on 1800 595 160 or visit idcare.org
IDCARE is a free, government-funded service that supports victims of scams and helps them develop a response plan when their personal information has been compromised.
What to look out for
Stay alert to common scam tactics. Here are some red flags:
- Never share your two-factor authentication or SMS codes — even if the request looks like it’s from Bankwest or another bank
- Delete suspicious calls, texts, emails or links — call the organisation using its official number
- If a link seems suspicious, look up the organisation to verify it or call them to confirm they’re legitimate
- Don’t send money or share personal details with anyone who pressures you or contacts you unexpectedly
- Be cautious of messages claiming you’ve won a prize or offering rewards that seem too good to be true.
Types of scams
Scams can take many forms — and they’re always evolving. Here are some of the most common types to watch out for:
Phishing scams
Phishing scams can arrive by phone call, email, SMS, or fake website links. Scammers pretend to be someone you trust — like a bank or government agency — and try to trick you into sharing personal details like usernames, passwords, or credit card numbers.
Investment scams
Scammers may pose as financial experts and offer fake investment opportunities that promise high returns. Their aim is to get you to transfer money into schemes that don’t exist.
Remote access scams
Scammers may trick you into downloading software that lets them control your device. They often pretend to be from a trusted company and may ask you to buy gift cards, fix a fake issue, or transfer money.
Romance scams
Scammers build fake relationships to gain your trust, then ask for money, gifts, or personal details. They may create fake emergencies to pressure you into sending funds or transferring assets.
Buying and selling scams
Scammers may use fake profiles or hacked accounts to sell goods or services that don’t exist. They might pose as businesses, then disappear after receiving payment.
Business email compromise scams
Scammers may hack or mimic business emails to trick you into paying fake invoices. They can change payment details without your knowledge, so the money goes to them instead of the real business.
Job scams
Job scams can involve fake roles that ask you to move money, making you the money mule without knowing it. Be wary of any offers involving your bank account.
Crypto scams
Scammers often promote crypto trading apps and websites that promise high returns with little risk. To help you stay informed and protect yourself we’ve implemented some measures and restrictions on cryptocurrency.
Monthly payment limit
- $10,000 monthly limit on all crypto-related payments across your Bankwest accounts — including joint and signatory accounts
- Payments over this limit will be declined, even if split into smaller amounts.
Credit card restrictions
Bankwest credit cards can’t be used to buy cryptocurrency.
Payment holds and cancellations
We’ll continue to decline or hold certain payments to cryptocurrency exchanges for 24 hours.
Receiving funds from exchanges
Withdrawals from cryptocurrency exchanges to your Bankwest account are allowed but may be subject to restrictions set by the exchange.
Contact us
Call us on 13 17 19
Call us if you’re concerned about possible fraud.
Call us on +61 8 9449 2840
Call us if you need help from overseas.
Email us
Forward the email to abuse@bankwest.com.au.