Skip to main content
Financial Assistance Hub

Mandatory industry scams codes important part of winning war against scammers

13 September 2024

Banks welcome the release of draft legislation to establish a new Scam Prevention Framework to better protect consumers and drive scammers out of Australia.

ABA CEO Anna Bligh said winning the war against scammers will only be possible through a collective effort across the entire scams chain, including from government, banks, telcos and social media companies.

“Banks have advocated for these industry codes because only an entire scams chain approach with a major focus on prevention will enable us to beat scammers,” Ms Bligh said.

“Australia has made progress, with scam losses falling, however holding all parts of the scams chain to account is the only way to properly protect the community. 

“These codes must address the core problem of people being exposed to scams in the first place. That means ensuring telcos and the social media platforms have strong protections in place to stop scams reaching Australians.

“Banks welcome confirmation that this Framework will see the creation of a single complaints body.

“A single complaints body will provide more consistent outcomes for customers and be best positioned to consider each sector’s responsibility for consumer redress where a business has failed to meet an obligation.

“Australian banks are already putting in place some of the strongest anti-scam protections in the world through the industry’s Scam-Safe Accord.

“This high standard of protection is seeing banks deploy a range of tools including confirmation of payee technology, more payment warnings and delays, identity checks and enhanced intelligence sharing.

“Our industry stands ready to work with the Government and other sectors on the finalisation of these mandatory codes that will set an even higher standard of scam prevention and disruption.”

“I urge all members of Parliament to support this legislation and ensure its passage as soon as possible.”

Contact: Benn Ayre | [email protected] | 0428 342 325
Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | www.ausbanking.org.au

Latest news

1 / 3
Transcript
Launch of Confirmation of Payee
2 July 2025

ABA CEO Anna Bligh: Well, here we are on the front line of the fight against scams. This is one of Australia’s largest banks, and the team of people here talking with customers, trying to protect customers and fight against scammers. Today, here we are launching a new piece of technology called Confirmation of Payee…. Read more »

Read more
Media Releases
​Australian banks launch new defence in battle against scammers
2 July 2025

Australian banks have today unveiled their latest scam fighting technology, with the launch of Confirmation of Payee – a new name-matching service designed to help protect customers from being tricked into sending money to criminals. Banks have invested $100 million in this new technology which is a key initiative of the sector’s Scam-Safe Accord –… Read more »

Read more
Media Releases
SIMON BIRMINGHAM APPOINTED AS ABA CEO
20 June 2025

Former Federal Finance Minister and Senate Leader, The Hon. Simon Birmingham, will join the Australian Banking Association as Chief Executive Officer. ABA Chair and National Australia Bank CEO Andrew Irvine today announced Mr Birmingham’s appointment, replacing retiring CEO, The Hon. Anna Bligh AC. “We are delighted to have Simon lead our industry and help ensure… Read more »

Read more