Alerts

Spoofed phone calls pretending to be Bendigo Bank

How the scam works:

• Scammers are contacting customers and advising of a suspicious transaction at JB Hi-Fi.
• The caller then attempts to prompt the customer to share information or act to “stop” the transaction.

What to watch out for:

• Scammers often claim the flagged amount is around $700–$800.
• They may also claim the payment has originated from New Zealand.

How to protect yourself:

Stop

• Do not share your passwords, one-time passcodes (OTPs), card details, or personal information.
• Do not approve transactions or follow instructions during an unexpected call.

Think

• Phone numbers can be spoofed, even if the number looks genuine, it may not be.
• Bendigo Bank will never as you to:
  • Provide your full password or one-time passcode
  • Move money to another account “for security reasons”
  • To download software or give remote access to your device
  • Pressure you to act urgently over the phone

Protect

• If you receive a call like this, hang up immediately.
• Contact us using the phone number on the back of your card or our official website, not a number provided during the call.

What to do if you’ve already engaged with the caller

Contact us immediately on the phone number on the back of your card or via our official website if you believe you may have:

• Shared personal or banking information
• Provided a one-time passcode
• Approved a transaction you don’t recognise
• Downloaded software or given access to your device

New scam targets Chinese-speaking Australians with fake deportation threats

The bank is aware of scammers cold-calling Chinese-speaking Australians pretending to be the authorities and threatening deportation.

They accuse their targets of money laundering or other crimes and ask for payment so “Chinese police” can investigate without deporting them from the country. The scammers usually speak in Mandarin or Cantonese to establish authority or build trust.

How the scam works:

• Unexpected call: You receive a call from what appears to be a legitimate number, claiming to be the Chinese police, Australian government, or a bank, saying you’re involved in illegal activity or money laundering.
• Deportation threat: They demand payment from you to avoid being sent back to China.
• Pressure to transfer money: They instruct you to send funds to a Chinese or overseas bank account, often with fake excuses like:
  • "Pay for an investigation to clear your name."
  • "Avoid legal consequences by settling the case now."
• Cover-up story: The scammers coach you to lie to bank staff if questioned about the transfer, and suggest you claim the transfer is for family medical bills or other urgent expenses.

Red flags to watch for:

• Threats of arrest or deportation: Real authorities and government bodies won’t demand immediate payments over the phone.
• Pressure to stay silent: Scammers request secrecy and tell victims not to discuss the call with anyone.
• Demand bank transfers to China: Often to personal (not official) accounts.

How to protect yourself:

Stop. Hang up immediately if you feel pressured.
Think. Would Chinese or Australian authorities really demand money this way? No.
Protect. Never transfer money out of fear, speak to a trusted friend or your bank first.

If you think you have been a victim of a scam, report it at bendigobank.com.au/security/report-suspicious-activity or call us directly on  1300 236 344.