ASB Scam Hub

Urgent help and current scams

Our 24/7 fraud helpline.

Have you spotted suspicious or unfamiliar activity on your account? Our specially trained team are available 24/7 on 0800 ASB FRAUD (0800 272 372).

Get help now

What to watch out for.

Check out information on common and emerging scams so you can stay one step ahead of scammers.

Find out more

Report a security breach.

If you've discovered a potential security vulnerability affecting an ASB service, you can report it.

Report it here

What's new: Confirmation of Payee

Together with the New Zealand banking industry, ASB is launching a new Confirmation of Payee service that helps you take a sec to check whether the account owner name and number match when making a payment or setting up a new payee.

This way, you'll have greater confidence that you're paying the right person - it's another tool to help us all stay one step ahead of scammers.

Find out more

How to protect yourself

Whether you're an individual or a business, here are some things you can do today to keep yourself, your accounts and your money safe.

Complete an ASB Security Checkup.
Log in to FastNet Classic internet banking or your ASB Mobile Banking app. Click your name in the top right-hand corner (FastNet Classic) or the top right cog (ASB Mobile app), select security and then select "Security Checkup".
Set daily payment limits.
Lower the amount that can be paid from your account in a single day.
Enable push notifications.
Downloading the ASB Mobile app and enabling push notifications allows us to send you important security alerts.
Type asb.co.nz into your address bar.
We will never send an email or text with links directly to log into your online banking. Always log in by typing asb.co.nz into your address bar, or using the ASB Mobile app.
Get educated on scams.
To read more on all the different types of scams, what to watch out for and how best to stay vigilant, check out our ASB Scam Updates.

Stop and think before clicking that link.
Cyber criminals may send you messages containing links or strange attachments to catch you off guard and gain access to your systems or information.
Use a strong and unique password.
Use a phrase you can remember and add numbers/special characters like 3veryCh1ckenL0vrsBeetles!.
Enable two-step verification.
Two-step verification helps protect your account from unauthorised activity. We may ask you to confirm your identity when logging in or making payments. Learn more.
Keep all of your digital devices up to date.
Software updates (also known as patches) don't just add new features - they often fix security vulnerabilities with your devices too, making it harder for cyber criminals to take advantage of exploits to access your systems and information.

How to protect your business

Double check your business is doing these extra things to stay safe.

Double check invoice details when making a payment.
For example, you can compare new invoices with ones you've received in the past or call the provider to help spot anything that may look suspicious.
Security matters.
Register to our 'Security Matters' newsletter to keep up-to-date with recent scam trends and top tips to keep you and your business safe.
Backup your data.
Creating one or multiple backups of your business' data is a crucial step in building Cyber resilience in your business. If your business data is compromised in any way - eg. lost, leaked or stolen - a backup lets you restore it quickly so your business can keep running.
Train your staff.
Ensuring staff are up to date on recent fraud and scam trends.

What is ASB doing to keep you safe?

Offering 24/7 support on 0800 ASB FRAUD (0800 272 372) when you may have security concerns or if your ASB account has been breached.
Helping you check account owner names and numbers match through the Confirmation of Payee service when making payments.
When you call ASB, a secure in-app notification can be sent by ASB to help verify your identity.

We use advanced AI fraud protection monitoring to detect unusual behaviour, alerting potential fraudulent activity on your account.
Secure messaging within the ASB Mobile Banking app allows you to let us know if a transaction in question is genuine or wasn't made by you.
We are collaborating with the industry, alongside CERT NZ, the FMA (Financial Markets Authority) and NetSafe to raise awareness around online safety and current scams.

Understanding more about scams

Scams and fraud are on the rise, they're getting more sophisticated and harder to detect which means it's easier to get caught out. To learn more about different types of scams, check out the ASB Scam Update.

You can also read more below on how to make sure you're clued up on scams and what to watch out for.

Scams and fraud are on the rise, they're getting more sophisticated and harder to detect which means it's easier to get caught out.

Scams are malicious attempts to trick you into giving away your money, login details, credit card details or any type of personal information. Scammers often take advantage of your kind nature or while you're busy, stressed or multi-tasking.

Key things you need to know about scammers:

Scammers are devious and persistent and will target anyone from all walks of life including businesses.
They will create a sense of urgency to rush you into decisions or slowly coerce you into doing something they want.
They will attempt to discourage you from doing any due diligence, talking to friends and family or seeking professional advice.

It's ok to hang up if you're suspicious of who is on the other end of the call. Call the company they claim to be from on their publicly listed number.

If the person calling you claims to be from a company, take a sec to check. Call them back on their publicly listed number.

It's ok not to respond to a text or direct message from someone you don't know.

Remember to never share your login details, password or PIN with anyone. ASB will never ask you for your login details or remote access to your computer and online banking.

We will never send you a text message with a link.
We will never ask you to download or install any remote access software on your device.
If we sent you a text with a phone number to call, you can verify it on asb.co.nz before you pick up the phone.
We won't ask you to make transactions or transfer funds to protect your money or to help catch scammers or other criminals.
If something seems off or you believe the security of your accounts have been compromised contact us immediately on our 24/7 Fraud help line.

You're asked to share personal details or log-in details, password or PIN.
You're asked to download third party remote access software giving someone else access to your device.
You're being pressured to act quickly and discouraged from speaking to friends or family and seeking advice.
You're offered guaranteed investment opportunities with above market returns.
You're cold called with an investment opportunity (this is illegal in NZ).
You're transacting online at marketplaces or social media forums with people who have only recently joined, have few or no followers and no reviews.
While communicating on established online marketplaces or websites you are asked to move to another platform such as WhatsApp or WeChat.
You're asked for money from someone you haven't met claiming to need your help.
You're asked to make payment using a money transfer service, like MoneyGram, Western Union, or using cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin or preloaded debit cards or iTune cards.
You're asked to set up a new bank account or use your own account to transfer funds in and out.
Business email addresses you send payments to have changed.
You notice suspicious URL links (containing a different name, for example www.ASB.verify.xyz).
There are spelling mistakes, blurry logos or images in the messages or URLs.

Could it happen to you?

How Sandra lost $80,000

61-year-old Sandra received a phone call from Daniel who said he was from her internet provider. Daniel said that Sandra had a problem with her internet connection and if she didn't act soon, it would be disconnected. She agreed to let Daniel help her, and downloaded and installed a computer program that gave Daniel access to her computer. Daniel also asked her to read out the special code he claimed he texted to her. So, Sandra read out the number in the text to him.

That day, Daniel scammed Sandra out of more than $80,000.

Would you hang up?

Test yourself

How Tim was scammed out of $950

35-year-old Tim got an email that seemed to come from ASB labelled as 'Urgent'. The email informed him there was an unrecognised login to his account. It said he needed to verify his account details by clicking on a link in the email and entering his login details. Tim was worried that his account would be blocked and immediately clicked the link to verify his account details. He entered his username and password.

A few weeks later, Tim was scammed out of his holiday savings of $950.

Would you recognise a phishing email?

Take the quiz

Questions you might have

I think I've been caught by a Scam or Fraud, what do I do?
- If you are speaking to someone you think may be defrauding/scamming you, stop all contact immediately.
- If you have made any payments - do not make any more.
- Call us immediately on 0800 ASB FRAUD (0800 272 372). The sooner we know about it the greater the chance we have to get your money back.
I've clicked on a suspicious link, what do I do?
ASB will never send you a message or contact you over the phone to ask for your internet banking passwords or full card details.

If you have clicked on a suspicious link:
- Close your browser.
- Call us immediately on 0800 ASB FRAUD (0800 272 372) so we can help secure your account.
- Empty your browser cache and clear your browse history.
- Perform a virus scan on your computer using anti-virus software.
- Forward the message to us at phishing@asb.co.nz and then delete it.
I'm not sure that the person calling me is legitimate, what do I do?
Fraudsters/Scammers will often make you feel a sense of urgency. The bank, police or any government agency will never ask you to send money away.

If you're unsure about the person you're speaking to:
- Politely hang up the phone.
- Find a contact number for their company by searching online and phone them to confirm (don't use any phone number they provide to you).
- If you have concerns about your bank account, call us 24/7 on 0800 ASB FRAUD (0800 272 372).
I've received a message that looks like it's from ASB but I'm not sure, what do I do?

Need help?

Call us

If you're worried that there has been a breach in your ASB account security, please get in touch with us immediately on 0800 ASB FRAUD (0800 272 372 or +64 9 303 0332 if you're overseas. Our team are here to help 24/7.

There are also many organisations that can help, including:

Cert NZ at www.cert.govt.nz
Netsafe at www.netsafe.org.nz
The NZ Police at www.police.govt.nz
FMA at www.fma.govt.nz

For any other queries, please contact us below.

0800 803 804

Easy English

Read our ‘Scams and Fraud’ guide in Easy English.

Scams and Fraud in Easy English