Recognising scams

Scammers may approach you in many ways – including sending you scam/phishing emails and text messages or telephoning you and impersonating our trusted brand.

If you receive any message or telephone call claiming to be from Southern Cross, check these things before replying, clicking a link, or sharing your information:

• Are you being urged to act fast or enticed to click a link to find out more: scammers will usually try to create a sense of urgency and try to rush you by creating a sense of panic. Take a step back and a closer look at what’s really being asked of you and why. You can always contact us directly to ask us if the email is from us if you’re unsure.
• Question what is being asked of you: Southern Cross will never request your banking PIN or passwords over the phone or by email/text message. We’ll also never ask you to send us an email to provide your bank account details to us. If we need your bank account details, we’ll ask you to log in to your My Southern Cross account, to call our 0800 number, or in some cases visit our repayment details page (www.southerncross.co.nz/society/contact/payment-details)
• Check the sender’s email address: does it look right to you, or is something slightly off? Look to see if the email address ends with southerncross.co.nz or if it looks slightly different – scammers trick people to trust information at a glance.
• Check any links included in the message: this is critical. Hover over the link to check its destination if you’re not sure.
• Are you presented with a random offer: some scams will involve enticing you with a free giveaway or say that you’ve been a lucky winner of a competition you haven’t entered.
• Generic greetings and sign offs: can be a clue a scammer is trying their luck by contacting you. Southern Cross will use your name in any interaction with you.