Australia’s scam landscape is shifting again, this time from the top of the banking sector.
This week, the Australian Banking Association (ABA) appointed Nuno Matos (ANZ) as its new Chair. Leadership changes don’t often make headlines, but his first statement did:
He highlighted strengthening scam safeguards as a key priority for Australian banks.
That’s a notable shift. It tells us two things at once:
Despite some progress, scam losses are still high and most cases never make it into official complaint figures. AFCA’s own data shows a 45% drop in scam complaints last year, but they’ve repeatedly warned that this doesn’t reflect the real picture. Many people never report their losses at all, often because they assume the bank won’t help or fear being blamed.
A renewed focus on safeguards across the sector is promising. It means more investment in prevention, more accountability and, hopefully, fewer Australians getting caught in the first place.
But here’s the part the headlines won’t say:
Industry reform takes time, and the people who are hurting right now can’t wait for new codes, new technology or new processes.
This is where consumer-protection support still matters.
If you’ve been affected by a scam, a fee error or an unauthorised transaction, you still have pathways today. You’re not waiting on an updated industry code. You’re not waiting for new legislation to take effect.
Right now, you can:
• Lodge a complaint with your bank
• Escalate to AFCA if the response isn’t fair or timely
• Seek support if you’re overwhelmed or not sure how to navigate it
Many Australians don’t realise they can still take action even if they didn’t report the issue straight away. And they don’t need specialist financial knowledge. They just need someone to help them get traction.
EquiClaim’s role stays simple:
We help everyday Australians chase what they’re owed.
If something has gone wrong on the debit side of your banking, whether its a a scam, incorrect fees, or unauthorised activity, we:
Listen to what happened.
Prepare and lodge the complaint with your bank or AFCA.
Follow it up until you get a fair outcome.
You don’t have to navigate this system alone.
You don’t have to chase your bank over and over with no progress.
You don’t have to know the legislation. That’s our job.
The ABA’s renewed focus on scam protections is a positive sign that the system is evolving. But until the industry catches up, the gap remains, and that’s where EquiClaim will continue to make a practical difference.
If you’ve been caught in a scam or something doesn’t look right on your account, you still have options. You still have rights. And there’s still time to act.
Tell us what happened — we’ll take it from there.