Customer update: How to keep your personal information safe

26 September 2022

Customers are reminded there are a number of steps you can take to keep your personal information safe, including monitoring for unusual or suspicious activity on your bank accounts.

Following news recently that some current or former Optus customers may have had their personal information stolen in a cyberattack, we have increased surveillance and monitoring for fraudulent activity. During this period of heightened security, we may ask for additional information when verifying customers’ identity by phone, and we ask for your patience if this takes a little longer than normal.

We would like to reassure you that Great Southern Bank’s systems have not been compromised in any way by the Optus cyberattack and we remain confident in our own data security protocols.

We encourage our customers – regardless of your telecommunications provider - to be particularly vigilant. There are steps you can take to protect your information and increase the security of your accounts including:

• Change any online banking and email passwords, or other passwords on websites or apps that payments are made from. You can log into Online Banking to change your Great Southern Bank password – always navigate to Online Banking via our website, and not via links in emails or SMS. Importantly, if you receive a notification that your password has been changed and you did not make the change, this can be an early sign that your banking has been accessed and you should contact us immediately;
• Enable 2 factor authentication for email accounts, online banking and any other websites or apps you are using;
• Regularly monitor bank account activity and report any unauthorised activity to Great Southern Bank as quickly as possible by contacting us via secure message in Online Banking or phoning our Customer Contact Centre on 133 282.
• You can also temporarily lock your own card/s in Online and Mobile Banking if you have concerns, or report fraudulent transactions 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to 1300 705 750;
• If in doubt request a copy of your credit report from a credit bureau or set up alerts so that you are notified of any accounts or loans being taken out in your name;
• Never provide your personal details to anyone who contacts you by phone; and
• Take care when responding to emails and SMS, even if it seems genuine.

In addition to the above steps, you should report any unauthorised activity to the ACCC scamwatch website.

For any Optus customers wanting to know more about the cyberattack, please visit the Optus website.

If your identity has been stolen, you can apply for a Commonwealth Victims' Certificate - a certificate helps support your claim that you have been the victim of identity crime and can be used to help re-establish your credentials with government or financial institutions.