OREANDA-NEWS. As part of National Australia Bank’s commitment to supporting the community against phone and online scams, NAB will hold community workshops next week in libraries across Melbourne.

NAB customers and the wider community are invited to the free information sessions that aim to arm them with the tools to become more aware of the strategies and tricks used by fraudsters.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission reported in 2015 that Australians lost more than $229 million to fraudsters.

NAB Head of Anti-Crime Solutions Marek Juricic said the program – part of a pilot program – is important because it encourages people to be alert to suspicious activity both over the phone and online.

“These workshops will equip people of all ages with the necessary knowledge to understand how they can identify – and avoid – the increasingly sophisticated methods fraudsters use to part them from their hard-earned money.

“The sessions are designed to help the more at the risk people in our community against fraudulent behaviour that comes in all forms,” he said.

“NAB customers and others in the community can feel empowered to proactively protect their accounts from fraudsters.”

NAB’s top tips to protect yourself include:

  • regularly check your online accounts for unusual transactions;
  • protect your phone like you do your wallet;
  • be wary of deals that are too good to be true;
  • don’t share your password or PIN codes with anyone;
  • ensure your anti-virus software and operating systems are up-to-date;
  • use a unique, strong password for each of your online accounts; and
  • make sure you buy only from well known websites.

The sessions will cover how you can identify – and avoid – the increasingly sophisticated methods employed by modern-day fraudsters.