Optus Data Leak | Westpac
OPTUS DATA LEAK
September 2022
5-minute read
We’re working to keep your information safe and secure including increasing the security on your accounts. No Westpac systems have been impacted by this event and Optus have advised that no customer payment details have been compromised.
How we're protecting you
You’re protected from fraud with our Westpac Protect™ Security Guarantees
Your Online Banking and Credit Card transactions have guarantees, to help protect you from fraud.
24x7 monitoring against fraud
We use technology around-the-clock to constantly monitor transactions and identify risks, so you can feel confident your accounts are secure. If we notice unusual online or card activity our Fraud Detection Team may contact you, or send a text to confirm the transaction. Learn about how we protect you.
IDCARE Partnership
IDCARE provides free, confidential support and guidance to people who have been targeted by fraud, scams, identity theft or compromise.
If your personal information has been misused as result of the Optus incident, please contact IDCARE on 1800 595 160 and use reference code “WBCIDC”, for assistance and guidance on the steps to take to work through this.
Follow the steps outlined in IDCARE’s Optus Data Breach Response Fact sheet.
More information can be found on our How We Protect You page.
How can you help protect yourself?
Be wary of unexpected emails, phone calls or messages that ask you to take action
Use caution when receiving phone calls, emails, or messages claiming to be from a reputable organisation and consider what they’re asking for. Never give out your personal or security details (like your card or customer number, passwords or security codes), even if it looks legitimate.
Be on the lookout for scams
Compromised identification details can be used by scammers to target you for many different scams. Learn how you can spot different types of scams and what you can do to avoid becoming a target.
Complete the Security Wellbeing Check
It’s a list of safety measures to give you added banking and identity protection, including upgrading to the latest version of our Westpac app, to ensure you have all the security features and benefits on offer. Find out more about the Security Wellbeing Check.
Ensure your contact details are up to date
Keep your contact details up to date so that we can easily contact you if your account is compromised. Learn how to update your details.
Enable location services
Enabling Location Services for our app allows us to immediately flag transactions or account changes from unexpected places so we can quickly protect you. Find out more about the Android or iPhone Mobile Permissions.
Set up notifications
Set up notifications to be sent when various activities take place on your accounts, as they happen. This is a free service in the Westpac App or in Online Banking to lets you know things like: when money goes in or out of your account, payment reminders, or when changes are made to your Daily Payment Limit or contact details. Find out more about notifications.
Further measures you can take to help protect yourself and your information can be found on our Protect Yourself page.
What else should you look out for?
Review and report any suspicious or unusual transactions immediately
Review your accounts (not just those held with the Bank) and report any unusual activity immediately.
Add a Security Keyword to your accounts
Call us on 132 032 and request a Security Keyword be added to your account – this will be an additional piece of ID that we ask for during calls regarding your account. Contact other organisations to request the same.
Request a copy of your credit report
Your credit report will allow you to see if anyone has attempted to open any accounts or services in your name. Contact the following credit reporting bodies:
Equifax, phone 138 332
Experian, phone 1300 783 684
illion, phone 1300 734 806
Optus is offering the most affected current and former customers whose information was compromised, the option to take up a 12-month subscription to Equifax Protect at no cost.
Refer to the Optus notification page for more information and updates.
Read our Be Safe & Secure (PDF 2MB) guide for more hints and tips to better safeguard yourself from potential threats.
Where to go for additional information
Keep up to date with the latest online security information, you can refer to the following reputable sources:
September 2022
5-minute read
We’re working to keep your information safe and secure including increasing the security on your accounts. No Westpac systems have been impacted by this event and Optus have advised that no customer payment details have been compromised.
How we're protecting you
You’re protected from fraud with our Westpac Protect™ Security Guarantees
Your Online Banking and Credit Card transactions have guarantees, to help protect you from fraud.
24x7 monitoring against fraud
We use technology around-the-clock to constantly monitor transactions and identify risks, so you can feel confident your accounts are secure. If we notice unusual online or card activity our Fraud Detection Team may contact you, or send a text to confirm the transaction. Learn about how we protect you.
IDCARE Partnership
IDCARE provides free, confidential support and guidance to people who have been targeted by fraud, scams, identity theft or compromise.
If your personal information has been misused as result of the Optus incident, please contact IDCARE on 1800 595 160 and use reference code “WBCIDC”, for assistance and guidance on the steps to take to work through this.
Follow the steps outlined in IDCARE’s Optus Data Breach Response Fact sheet.
More information can be found on our How We Protect You page.
How can you help protect yourself?
Be wary of unexpected emails, phone calls or messages that ask you to take action
Use caution when receiving phone calls, emails, or messages claiming to be from a reputable organisation and consider what they’re asking for. Never give out your personal or security details (like your card or customer number, passwords or security codes), even if it looks legitimate.
Be on the lookout for scams
Compromised identification details can be used by scammers to target you for many different scams. Learn how you can spot different types of scams and what you can do to avoid becoming a target.
Complete the Security Wellbeing Check
It’s a list of safety measures to give you added banking and identity protection, including upgrading to the latest version of our Westpac app, to ensure you have all the security features and benefits on offer. Find out more about the Security Wellbeing Check.
Ensure your contact details are up to date
Keep your contact details up to date so that we can easily contact you if your account is compromised. Learn how to update your details.
Enable location services
Enabling Location Services for our app allows us to immediately flag transactions or account changes from unexpected places so we can quickly protect you. Find out more about the Android or iPhone Mobile Permissions.
Set up notifications
Set up notifications to be sent when various activities take place on your accounts, as they happen. This is a free service in the Westpac App or in Online Banking to lets you know things like: when money goes in or out of your account, payment reminders, or when changes are made to your Daily Payment Limit or contact details. Find out more about notifications.
Further measures you can take to help protect yourself and your information can be found on our Protect Yourself page.
What else should you look out for?
Review and report any suspicious or unusual transactions immediately
Review your accounts (not just those held with the Bank) and report any unusual activity immediately.
Add a Security Keyword to your accounts
Call us on 132 032 and request a Security Keyword be added to your account – this will be an additional piece of ID that we ask for during calls regarding your account. Contact other organisations to request the same.
Request a copy of your credit report
Your credit report will allow you to see if anyone has attempted to open any accounts or services in your name. Contact the following credit reporting bodies:
Equifax, phone 138 332
Experian, phone 1300 783 684
illion, phone 1300 734 806
Optus is offering the most affected current and former customers whose information was compromised, the option to take up a 12-month subscription to Equifax Protect at no cost.
Refer to the Optus notification page for more information and updates.
Read our Be Safe & Secure (PDF 2MB) guide for more hints and tips to better safeguard yourself from potential threats.
Where to go for additional information
Keep up to date with the latest online security information, you can refer to the following reputable sources:
