At Evalesco, we’re committed to keeping you informed about threats that could impact your financial security. Recently, there has been a rise in a deceptive scam known as the Card Collection Scam.
Scammers are targeting individuals, particularly older and vulnerable Australians, by pretending to represent trusted organisations like banks, IT companies, or phone providers.
Here’s what you need to know to stay safe:
How the Scam Works
1. Impersonation
- Scammers call pretending to be from a legitimate organisation, claiming that your bank account or computer security has been compromised.
2. Requests for Action
- They may ask for your PIN number and instruct you to leave your bank card in your letterbox, in order for it to be “cancelled and replaced.”
- In some cases, they’ll request you to withdraw cash and leave it for collection, or even hand it directly to someone posing as a bank representative.
3. Tech-Savvy Deception
- Using technology, they can make it appear as though calls or messages are coming from your actual bank or phone company, even continuing a legitimate message thread.
Red Flags
Your bank or any legitimate organisation will never ask you to:
- Share your PIN number
- Leave your bank card or cash in a letterbox or hand it over to a stranger
- Transfer money to another account for security reasons
Steps to Stay Protected
1. STOP
- Never disclose your PIN, hand over your card, or give cash to anyone you don’t know.
- Say no, hang up, and delete suspicious messages
2. CHECK
- Contact the organisation directly using the official number on their website, app, or the back of your card
- Verify any unexpected requests for your financial information
3.PROTECT
- If you suspect you’ve been scammed, act quickly:
- Contact your bank or card provider immediately to stop unauthorised transactions
- Report stolen cards, cash, or details to the police.
- Visit Scamwatch to report the scam and learn more.
Support if You’ve Been Affected
If you’ve fallen victim to a scam, don’t be embarrassed. It happens to many people, and help is available:
- Contact your bank immediately to secure your accounts.
- Notify the police if cash or cards have been physically taken.
- Report the scam to Scamwatch to help prevent others from being targeted.
Resources for Financial Hardship
If this situation has caused financial stress, support is available:
- National Debt Helpline: 1800 007 007
- Speak with your Evalesco adviser for tailored financial advice and support.
A Stronger Defence Against Scams
The National Anti-Scam Centre is working to make Australia a tougher target for scammers by leveraging collaboration and cutting-edge technology. Learn more about staying safe and reporting scams at the Scamwatch website.
Together, we can protect each other by staying informed and vigilant. If you’d like to discuss this further or have any concerns about your financial security, please don’t hesitate to contact our team at Evalesco.
