Important Information
Threats to Macquarie's clients and customers continue to evolve and impact users of financial services through various methods and in different ways. Being aware of the different threats that exist, and what you can do to prevent them, is the best way of avoiding them.
Online threats can refer to any type of fraud or scam generated through the internet or via email. Most online threats are designed to steal personal information such as credit card numbers, user names and passwords. These are typically executed through social engineering scams. The main intent is to gain a financial benefit via fraud.
Macquarie Group is committed to providing a secure online environment for our clients and partners. We encourage reporting of any suspected vulnerabilities in accordance with our Vulnerability Disclosure Program. We will validate and fix vulnerabilities in accordance with this program.
Scammers have been reported impersonating Macquarie staff and promoting fraudulent documentation related to a range of financial investments.
The use of phishing emails, cold calling, and fake websites scammers are seeking to entice people to invest in these false products that feature Macquarie branding.
To minimise the risk of being a victim, ensure you perform your due diligence by contacting Macquarie on the numbers listed from our website before you transfer any money.
Cheque fraud may be committed by:
Protect yourself against cheque fraud:
Business e-mail compromise (BEC) is when a cybercriminal hacks into an email account and impersonates the real owner to defraud the company, its customers, partners, and/or employees into sending money or sensitive data to the attacker’s account.
BEC is also known as a “man-in-the-middle” attack where two parties think that they are talking to each other directly, but in reality, an attacker is listening in and possibly altering the communication.
While a BEC scam can target anyone in the company, high-level executives and people working in the finance department are the most likely targets. “Whaling” and “CEO Fraud” are two emerging terms used to describe the phenomenon of targeting high-level executives and are typically more difficult to detect than traditional phishing scams since they are so targeted.
Example BEC’s include, but not limited to:
Phishing scams are attempts by scammers to trick you into giving out personal information such as your bank account numbers, passwords and credit card numbers.
A scammer contacts you pretending to be from a legitimate business such a bank, telephone, or internet service provider. You may be contacted by email, social media, phone call, or text message.
The scammer asks you to provide or confirm your personal details. For example, the scammer may say that the bank or organisation is verifying customer records due to a technical error that wiped out customer data. Or, they may ask you to fill out a customer survey and offer a prize for participating.
Alternatively, the scammer may alert you to 'unauthorised or suspicious activity on your account'. You might be told that a large purchase has been made in a foreign country and asked if you authorised the payment. If you reply that you didn't, the scammer will ask you to confirm your credit card or bank details so the 'bank' can investigate. In some cases, the scammer may already have your credit card number and ask you to confirm your identity by quoting the 3 or 4 digit security code printed on the card.
Malware scammers send emails and social media messages at random with links purporting to be on something topical news, an event or something 'interesting'.
If you click on the link, you may be taken to a fake website that looks like the real deal, complete with logos and branding of legitimate sites. In order to view the video, you will be asked to install some software, such as a ‘codec’, to be able to access the video format. If you download the software, your computer will be infected with malware (malicious software).
Another way of delivering a malware scam is through websites and pop-ups that offer 'free' file downloads, including music, movies and games, or free access to content, such as adult sites.
Malware scams work by installing software on your computer that allows scammers to access your files or watch what you are doing on your computer. Scammers use this information to steal your personal details and commit fraudulent activities. They may make unauthorised purchases on your credit card or use your identity to open accounts such as banking, telephone or energy services. They might take out loans or carry out other illegal business under your name, or even sell your information to other scammers for further illegal use.
Some of the ways to reduce your risk of being affected by malware include:
Ransomware is a type of malware that locks your device and its files down so you can’t use them without paying a fee.
Ransomware can be very costly to recover from. It commonly uses encryption techniques to lock your files, making them unreadable, and some go one step further and make your computer unusable.
Ransomware infects users’ devices through the same techniques as malware and can include:
It is not recommended to pay the ransom if you’re affected by ransomware. There is no guarantee that paying the ransom will see you get your files back and your computer fixed. You should engage a technical resource for assistance if affected.
Some of the ways to reduce your risk of being affected by ransomware include:
Identity theft happens when a criminal steals personal information and uses it to commit a crime such as opening fraudulent loans or stealing money from your bank accounts.
Cybercriminals can steal information including contact details, tax file numbers, credit card details, online account usernames and passwords.
Some of the signs of possible identity theft include:
Some of the ways you can minimise the likelihood of having your identity stolen include:
Scams have existed for centuries, however the internet allows scammers to reach a much larger audience.
A scam might come in the form of an email, contact from an unknown person through websites such as dating sites, online forums or social networking sites. Scams are usually designed to either steal your money or trick you into revealing personal information. They use techniques to manipulate you and appeal to your good nature, and are constantly evolving.
'Cold calling' scams are an unexpected or unsolicited telephone call offering investments or financial advice. The investments they offer usually guarantee high returns or encourage you to invest in overseas companies. The scams sound professional and may have other resources to support their claims. Cold callers often claim to be stock brokers or portfolio managers.
Technical support scams involve cybercriminals getting in contact with users and pretending to have identified a serious problem with the user’s computer or internet connection and offer to help.
They’ll ask for remote access to the user’s computer but in doing so, will access files, intercept bank account logins and other sensitive information on the machine. They may also ask the user to pay a fee to fix the machine.
This scam works on intimidating the user, often using technical words and phrases to confuse the victim and employing techniques to build urgency. The scams can be initiated via a cold call, mass-messaged emails to users or via pop-up ads suggesting you’ve got a virus and to call a 1800 number for help.
Some of the ways you can protect yourself from scams such as these include:
There are three main types of investment scams:
In any case, the money you 'invest' goes straight into the scammer's bank account and not towards any real investment. It is extremely hard to recover your money if it goes to a scammer based overseas.
Anyone can be scammed and every scam is different. Scams are often very hard to spot and can feel legitimate in the moment. Scammers can use professional-looking websites and apps, and impersonate legitimate companies.
Scammers can come from anywhere. The most common approaches are:
The most common scams share some key characteristics. When it comes to protecting yourself from scams, it’s important to be vigilant around providing personal information or making payments to an account.
Characteristics of a scam:
If you’re being offered a product or investment at a much lower price than normal or promised a return much larger than what you might get from the bank, you may be falling for a scam. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Scammers rely on building trust with their victims before exploiting this relationship for financial gain. Ask yourself if you really know the person you’re talking to. It’s important to seek independent advice around investments.
Use strong, unique passwords and change them if you believe they may have been compromised at any point.
Be aware of phishing emails and avoid opening them.
Regularly back up your computer and devices.
Using another layer of authentication in addition to your username and password, is preferable if your data is sensitive. If your account offers multi-factor authentication, you should enable it.
Always take caution when sharing personal information on social media. For example, if you upload a photo of your new house, check to make sure the address isn't visible.
Install an anti-virus software and keep it updated to reduce the likelihood of being impacted by malware.
If you have experienced an online threat or have fallen victim to phishing or any other type of online fraud/scam that may involve the Macquarie brand please notify us by email at globalinvestigations@macquarie.com. If possible, please send your contact phone number and the suspicious email as an attachment, rather than forwarding the email. This helps to identify the author and source and will be used to help reduce online fraud.
The accordion below outlines the regions and countries that Macquarie operate in and the regulators, reporting authorities and consumer assistance services available to the local population to report instances of fraud and scams etc.
Urgent and high-risk security threats or incidents, such as extortion attempts, violence towards staff, bomb threats and suspicious packages and any life safety incident can be reported immediately to the Macquarie 24/7 Global Security Operations Centre (GSOC): GSOC@macquarie.com.
