Australia’s customer-owned banking sector is putting prevention in focus this Scams Awareness Week (24 to 28 August 2026), reinforcing its ongoing commitment to protecting Australians from increasingly sophisticated crime.
“Our sector is committed to protecting Australians and is working tirelessly to strengthen scam protections,” said Customer Owned Banking Association (COBA) Chief Executive Officer Michael Lawrence.
This year’s Scam Awareness Week theme is ‘No one should be a number’.
“Scams have a devastating impact on the people and communities our sector serves. Behind every dollar lost is a heartbreaking story, and these losses can ripple through entire towns, affecting local businesses, families, community investment and jobs,” he added.
All COBA members became signatories to the wider banking industry’s Scam-Safe Accord in November 2023. Since then, customer-owned banks have continued investing in anti-scam strategies, data-sharing capabilities and new technologies to better detect, prevent and respond to suspicious activity.
Their trusted, personalised relationships with customers are also a key line of defence.
“Strong local connections mean customer-owned banks are often well placed to notice subtle changes in behaviour and step in early when something appears unusual,” Mr Lawrence said.
“Customer-owned banks also have a long-standing commitment to educating their customers and meeting people where they are. Through in-person education and local scam-awareness events, they are helping everyday Australians build the practical tools, knowledge and confidence to stay safe,” he said.
Several free in-person sessions are taking place to help locals build vital scam-spotting skills, including:
The Mutual Bank: Tea and Tips – Staying Safe from Scams
Based in Maitland, NSW, The Mutual Bank is hosting a relaxed morning session with practical guidance on how to recognise, avoid and respond to scams. The event will be held on Wednesday 26 August at Easts Leisure and Golf Club in East Maitland.
Hume Bank: Community Scam Awareness Evening
Albury-based Hume Bank is inviting local residents and business owners to an after-hours forum covering the latest scam trends and practical defence steps. The session will run on Thursday 27 August from 5:30 pm at Hume Bank’s Olive Street branch.
Bank Orange: Stay Safe 2026
Bank Orange is holding its annual community safety forum to address the rise in local fraud attempts and help attendees protect themselves and their loved ones. The forum will be held on Monday 7 September from 5:30 pm at the Orange Ex-Services Club.
Australians are encouraged to follow the National Anti-Scam Centre’s simple guidance: Stop. Check. Protect.
- Stop: Do not give money or personal information to anyone if you are unsure.
- Check: Ask yourself whether the message, call or request could be fake.
- Protect: Act quickly if something feels wrong, and report scams to Scamwatch to help protect others.
ENDS
For further information or to arrange interviews, please contact Mira Palomaki on 0459 954 035 or media@coba.asn.au.
The Customer Owned Banking Association is the industry body for mutual banks, credit unions and building societies. For almost 180 years our sector has put customers first, returning profits to more than 5 million Australians who put their trust in customer-owned banks.