If you are ever asked to change or update a BSB and Account number as a result of an email received from a supplier or known associate, it is critical that you verbally validate this request as well.
Reports to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN) about scams of this sort have exposed over $22.1 million in funds being transferred from businesses to scammer accounts during 2017.
Our top tips to avoid incurring financial loss to scammers are:
- Always verbally check the BSB and Account number changes using a trusted phone number. Confirming a change via email is not a secure method of validation.
- Scammers often pose as executive staff members to direct employees to make urgent payments. Once again, always verbally validate these requests using a trusted phone number.
- If you are unable to contact the requestor, contact the recipient bank to confirm if the BSB and Account number match the name on the account.
For more information on how to protect your business speak to your StewartBrown Partner of Manager and/or contact your bank.
This threat is real and should not be taken lightly! A client of our firm recently experienced this scam and unfortunately lost out financially because of it. Be vigilant and train your staff to be on the alert.
