As has been widely reported in the media, a number of organisations in Australia have recently been the target of cyberattacks.
In September 2022, Optus notified customers of a cyberattack compromising current and former customers’ information. In October 2022, Medibank notified Medibank and AHM customers of a cyber security incident involving the potential release of customer information.
There is no direct impact to G&C Mutual Bank’s systems as a result of these cyberattacks. Our security controls remain in place and our team is closely monitoring the situation.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Scamwatch is warning customers to proactively take steps to protect their accounts and watch out for scams following these data breaches.
Impacted customers of these organisations may have had their name, date of birth, phone number and email addresses released. For some customers, identity document numbers such as driver’s licence or passport numbers could also be in the hands of criminals.
It is important to be aware that you be may be at risk of identity theft and take urgent action to prevent harm. Optus, Medibank and AHM customers should take immediate steps to secure all of their accounts, particularly their bank and financial accounts. Remain vigilant and monitor for unusual activity on your accounts and look out for contact by scammers.
Scammers may use your personal information to contact you by phone, text or email. Never click on suspicious links or provide personal or financial information to someone who contacts you out of the blue.
The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has compiled a collection of resources and information to assist Optus customers and Medibank/AHM customers concerned about these recent incidents. More information about how to protect yourself is available on the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) website.
For more information about these specific incidents
Optus customers: Refer to the Optus website or contact Optus via the My Optus App or on 133 937.
Medibank customers: Refer to the Medibank website or contact Medibank on 132 331.
AHM customers: Refer to the AHM website or contact AHM on 134 246.
Need help?
If you believe someone has gained access to your personal information, even if the scam appears unrelated to your finances, you should contact your bank immediately. A timely response can be critical in giving you the best chance to stem any loss.
- If you have concerns about your G&C Mutual Bank account, contact us on 1300 364 400.
- You can find out how scams work, how to protect yourself, what to do if you’ve been scammed or report a scam to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) via the Scamwatch website.
As always, G&C Mutual Bank remains committed to your security and privacy online. To understand how we help to keep you safe, please refer to our Security page and for information on common scams and how to protect yourself, please visit the News section of our website.
