Source: ASB
ASB is warning Kiwi businesses to be alert for unsolicited cold calls from scammers impersonating ASB’s fraud team.
Scammers are currently targeting business customers, saying their account is at risk, there is fraud on the account, there are suspicious transactions or that their account is being hacked. They may also make other excuses and ask for username, passwords, or verification codes including codes from Fastnet Business tokens.
ASB General Manager Fraud and Scams, Richard Joseph, says the scammers may already have personal information like email addresses and dates of birth. “Unfortunately, impersonation scams are not new, but scammers continue to evolve the way they approach them, often creating a sense of urgency. The scammers will try to get you to disclose your business or personal account details so they can then access your accounts and transfer money away.
I encourage everyone to be vigilant, particularly if you’re asked to make a payment or provide sensitive information. Anyone can fall victim to a scam and staying alert to scammers is our first defence.”
How ASB customers can protect themselves
Customers can verify a caller who claims to be from ASB by asking them for a Caller Check notification. Caller Check is only available through the ASB Mobile Banking app so if the caller is unable to send a notification through this channel, it will be a scam.
“If you have any concerns or think you have given your information to a scammer, hang up and call our fraud team,” Richard says. “Our team of fraud experts is available 24/7, including over the public holidays, on 0800 ASB FRAUD (0800 272 372).”
While our fraud team may call customers to verify unusual transactions, they will:
- Never ask you for your banking passwords, PINs, text verification codes or codes from your token
- Never need to know your full credit card number – especially not the CVV
- Never ask you to purchase gift cards, set up crypto currency accounts or transfer funds to keep your money safe.
- Never ask you to download software or remotely access your device.
For more information and to keep up to date with the latest scams, visit ASB’s Scam Hub: www.asb.co.nz/asbscamhub
