Beware scams and frauds

Warning - Fraudulent Emails and Websites

*** Latest scams
Please be aware of scam emails and bogus websites. These emails contain links to fraudulent websites which:

• Download a keystroke logger which then steals your user ID and password the next time you access an internet secured site. Please delete any such emails you receive and do not open the link
• Offer structured investment products in the name of Macquarie***

Macquarie and other organisations have recently been the subject of fraudulent email requests. Emails have been sent to individuals by people claiming to be Macquarie representatives supported by websites that appear similar to Macquarie’s.  In some cases, the names of some senior executives have been used. Recent examples include websites which ask recipients to invest sums of money in bogus structured investment products. Other examples include emails which purport to notify recipients of an overseas lottery win or a share in a large deceased estate.  These are variants of the “Nigerian letter” or advance fee scams.

Other emails request personal information such as PIN or passwords and contain a link to bogus but authentic looking websites. Macquarie will never ask customers to disclose their Macquarie Access Code or password. Macquarie and our senior executives are in no way connected with these scams. These emails and websites are scams and hoaxes and have been reported to the relevant authorities .

What to do if you receive an inquiry

If you receive such an email or find anything that is suspected to be a fraudulent activity connected with Macquarie, please do not respond to it. Immediately, contact us by email via Report_scams@macquarie.com. If possible, please send the suspect email to this address as an attachment, rather than simply forwarding the email, as this helps to identify the author and source.

What is Macquarie doing about it?

We are taking these scams very seriously.  All scams with a purported connection with Macquarie are forwarded to the relevant authorities for tracing and investigation. Macquarie is working with the industry and authorities to try to stop this fraudulent activity. This includes working across jurisdictions to close down the web sites, email addresses and phone numbers used by scammers.

How can you avoid being scammed?

In the meantime, the best protection for you, our customers and the public is to follow these rules:

• Never access Macquarie online sites from a link in an email, particularly sites that require your personal information (Macquarie Access Code and password). Always access Macquarie Online by typing the full web address www.macquarie.com.au into your browser.
• when using Internet secured sites check for the locked padlock symbol in the bottom right corner of your browser.
• keep your computer up to date with anti-virus and firewall software.
• Disregard and delete spam, chain and junk email.
• Keep your password secret.  Change your password regularly.
• Regularly check your account activity for unauthorised transactions.
• protect your personal information at all times. Be alert to scams.  For more information on scams and how to protect yourself you can visit FIDO, the consumer section of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) website www.fido.asic.gov.au or www.scamwatch.gov.au.