Keeping your details safe
You shouldn’t share your PIN, internet or phone banking passwords with anyone else. This includes the password you use to verify your identity when you call Bank Australia.
Use discretion when sharing information online, too. Personal information can be used by fraudsters to verify themselves and make unauthorised changes to accounts.
Here are some suggestions to help protect your passwords and access codes.
Mix up your passwords
Each shopping account, bank account, credit card account, and email account should have a unique password. This makes it harder for a thief to steal your personal information.
Follow these tips
- Memorise then destroy any notifications containing a PIN or access code (including passwords and usernames)
- Regularly update your passwords
- Notify Bank Australia immediately if you think someone knows your password or access codes
- Ensure that no-one sees you enter your PIN or password, or overhears you provide a passcode over the phone
Avoid these traps
- Don’t select a password that’s easy for others to guess (see below)
- Never disclose your PIN to anyone else, even if asked by family, friends, police or Bank Australia staff
- Don’t provide personal details via email or via a link in an email – contact the merchant or company (including Bank Australia) directly if you are unsure
- Don’t record details of your PIN or access codes on a handheld device or computer
- Don’t use ‘auto-complete’ for passwords – this is a security risk, as other people can then access internet banking from the same computer if it is left unattended (to disable ‘auto-complete’, check your browser settings)
- Don’t provide your personal details over the phone when the call is unexpected or seemingly random
Avoid these passwords
- Your date of birth (in any format)
- Your name (or part of)
- Common passwords such as password/Password/P@ssword
- Dates of birth of your spouse and/or children
- Children’s names
- Pet names
- Don't use passwords that are shared with family members. For example don't use a password that your family has for a shared streaming service as your personal password for internet banking.
Use current virus protection software
Always ensure you have the most up-to-date version of virus protection software on your computer to help prevent fraudsters getting in.
Notify us if you think you’ve been hacked
If you think your device (computer, tablet or phone) has been affected by a virus, please contact us immediately to reset your Bank Australia passwords.
Learn more – visit staysmartonline.gov.au
