ANZ Vanuatu highlights scam dangers in lead-up to Mother’s Day
May 8, 2025 10:09 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook
ANZ Vanuatu is encouraging customers to stay alert and discuss scams with their families this Mother’s Day. The bank says having open conversations at home can help ensure loved ones recognise warning signs before it’s too late.
The warning comes as scammers continue to exploit public trust, with fraudulent text messages and calls from people pretending to be family members among the most common tactics. These impersonation scams often involve urgent pleas for financial help.
ANZ Vanuatu Country Head Terence Low said scammers are using increasingly sophisticated methods, including social media, text messaging, and phone calls, to impersonate people and manipulate victims.
“As scam tactics advance, recognising warning signs is crucial,” Mr. Low said.
He urged families to check in regularly with each other to stay informed about emerging threats. With the lead-up to Mother’s Day being a peak period for online shopping, Mr Low also cautioned consumers to be on the lookout for fake retail sites offering suspiciously low prices.
Shoppers are advised to be wary of inconsistent contact information, payment methods that seem unusual, or websites filled with overly positive reviews. “If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is,” Mr. Low said.
One of the key messages is to always pause and think before responding to requests for money or personal information.
“Remember, ANZ will never contact customers asking for their account or login details, and we will never ask customers to click on a link,” he said. “Be extra diligent — if something doesn’t seem right, or is unexpected, question it.”
Unknown contact
Impersonation scams often begin with messages from unknown numbers claiming to be family members in urgent need. This pressure is intended to make victims act without thinking. ANZ advises people to verify the identity of the sender through trusted communication channels before taking any action.
Unexpected contact and urgent action
Other signs of a scam may include unusual or unexpected contact from a loved one, or a sense of urgency urging payment while asking the recipient not to tell anyone. In such cases, taking time to verify the message is key to preventing financial loss.
Warning signs of online shopping scams
Scammers also continue to target people via fake shopping websites, often using domains that mimic well-known brands. Victims may be asked to pay using unsecure methods such as direct bank transfers or gift cards. ANZ recommends consumers research unfamiliar retailers, compare website domains to official ones, and look for independent reviews.
Banking protection
To protect customers, ANZ employs a variety of fraud detection and prevention measures and regularly updates these systems to keep up with evolving criminal tactics. The bank also places a strong focus on educating customers about scams.
Customers are reminded to be cautious of unexpected requests to click on links, download files, or allow remote access. Apps should be carefully researched before downloading to ensure they are not harmful. Using public Wi-Fi networks should be avoided, as malware can easily spread across unsecured systems.
Multi-factor authentication is recommended for all accounts, and keeping devices and security software updated remains a crucial defence against cyber threats.
Customers can check the latest scams on the bank’s security alerts page at www.anz.com. This includes alerting ANZ customers to the risk of malware infection.
