Customers asked to be on alert as impersonation scams continue to evolve

Increasingly scammers are reaching out to potential victims through cold calls, SMS messages, and social media claiming that an urgent account issue such as a recent transaction or a problem with the device needs to be resolved.

Scammers will then often ask customers to log into their banking app, remove security measures such as Face ID and to uninstall the app from their device. The scammer will then download the banking app onto their own device and ask for personal information and a one-time password (OTP) to authorise the installation and access their account.

According to Jessica Power, Head of Wealth and Personal Banking HSBC Australia, customers should be suspicious of any message that asks them to remove or install apps on your device as your bank will never ask you do to this. Your bank will never ask you to transfer money to a ‘safe’ account, download software, or remotely access your device.

“HSBC staff will never ask you to verbally share a code, PIN or password with them. If you receive an unsolicited phone call or text message purporting to be from your bank, please contact your bank immediately through the phone number listed on the website,” she said.