Cheeky scammers try to fool ANZ customers

By SCOTT MacLEOD

Internet fraudsters who trick New Zealanders into revealing their secret banking passwords have a refined taste for irony.

But their grasp of English grammar is less acute.

Yesterday the scam that fooled 350 Westpac customers into revealing their details widened to include the ANZ.

The ANZ email used cheeky psychology, telling customers that by clicking on a link in the email and logging into their accounts they could help to fight scams.

In fact, those who clicked the link and typed in their log-in details would themselves be scammed - their secret details go to fraudsters in what must be a non-English speaking country, judging by the email's grammar.

"Dear valued customer," the email said. "Our new security system will help you to avoid frequently fraud transactions and to keep your investments in safety.

"Due to technical update we recommend you to update your account.

"Click on the link below to login and begin using your updated ANZ account."

The email was received yesterday by a Herald employee who is not an ANZ customer.

ANZ spokeswoman Cathy Wood said the email was mostly aimed at Australian customers and only a few New Zealanders had received it. None had been tricked into giving their details.

The bank would never send an email linking to a website, she said.

The email included an Australian phone number similar to the ANZ's, but which was answered by a man at another firm who said he had received many calls from bank customers. "It's a scam," he said.

Ministry of Consumer Affairs spokeswoman Julie Allan said nobody should divulge personal information to any email purporting to be from a bank.

The Westpac email asked customers to confirm their details by following a link to a fake Westpac website. There they were told to enter their passwords, which the fraudsters could use to access their bank accounts.

Westpac spokesman Paul Gregory said there was no sign of suspicious transactions in the accounts of the people who revealed their passwords.

The bank would monitor their accounts, but most of the customers had changed their passwords quickly and were at no risk.

The Australian branch of the ANZ has been hit by at least three email scams this year.