Protect yourself by using PayID
6 October 2022
Australian banks welcome the Federal Government’s decision to allow Optus to share government identity information compromised in the Optus data breach.
Banks will be able to request and use the information in their ongoing efforts to fight financial crime.
Since the Optus data breach became public, banks have focused on the potential for the data to be used to perpetuate frauds, scams and other illegal activities.
“The whole industry has worked closely with the Australian Government to make today’s regulations possible.”
ABA Chair & CEO Westpac, Peter King
The Federal Government’s action is a timely and valuable measure that will contribute to banks’ efforts.
Banks invest heavily in systems to protect customers and the financial system, including significant investment towards building resilience including against frauds and scams.
Chair of the Australian Banking Association and CEO of Westpac, Peter King said, “The whole industry has worked closely with the Australian Government to make today’s regulations possible.”
He added, “The data-sharing will help us to combat fraud and scams, keep customers safe, and limit the long-term risks presented by the Optus data breach.”
“It’s important that customers remain on the lookout for scammers in the wake of the Optus data breach,” he said.
Bank customers are encouraged to:
- Look out for any suspicious or unexpected activity across your online accounts, including your telco, bank and utilities accounts. Make sure to report any suspicious activity in your bank account immediately to your financial institution;
- Do not click on any links in any email or SMS claiming to be from Optus;
- If someone calls claiming to be from Optus, police, bank or another organisation and offers to help you with the data breach, consider hanging up and contacting the organisation on its official contact details. This can be a scammer calling using your personal information.
- Never click on any links that look suspicious and never provide your passwords, your bank’s one time pins, or any personal or financial information, and.
- If people call posing as a credible organisation and request access to your computer, always say no.
Customers of Optus are encouraged to visit their website for latest updates and advice on replacing identification documents.
Latest news
Media Releases
Important step to help stamp out scams
Read more
17 July 2023
Australians are under attack from scams, part of a worsening global scams scourge, and all sectors need to ramp up the fight against these criminals, including government, law enforcement, banks, telcos, social media and crypto platforms and individuals.
Media Releases
Statement regarding new Reserve Bank of Australia Governor
Read more
14 July 2023
The ABA welcomes the appointment of Michele Bullock as the new Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Governor.
The ABA acknowledges RBA Governor Phillip Lowe’s strong leadership of the central bank during one of Australia’s most turbulent periods, the COVID-19 pandemic.
Media Releases
ABA welcomes launch of Federal Government’s National Anti-Scam Centre | First fusion cell to tackle investment scams
Read more
3 July 2023
The Australian Banking Association (ABA) has welcomed the launch of the Federal Government’s National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC), a key government and regulator initiative to help fight the scams scourge.