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What is a cold call scam?

Scammers making unsolicited phone calls, pretending to be from trusted organisations like CWCU. These calls sound very convincing, as the caller might reference your personal details or recent transactions to make their story seem real.

The scammer will pressure you into handing over sensitive information or approving fraudulent transactions.

Why does the number look legitimate?

A technique called Caller ID spoofing (or CLI over stamping) is commonly used. This allows scammers to make a fake number appear on your screen, often one that looks local or matches a real business number. While this practice is legal in some cases (like overseas companies showing a local callback number), it’s frequently abused by criminals, hackers and scammers.

In some instances, the scam starts with a text or can be a recorded voice which may look like it is from came from the bank, followed by a phone call.

Signs to watch for

• Scammers checking if you are alone or have someone there to assist you with the call.
• The caller says there's urgent activity on your account, like suspicious payments or a locked profile.
• You're asked for sensitive information such as your password, one-time codes, or account number.
• They ask you to transfer money to a “safe” account or download software.
• The conversation feels rushed or aggressive, trying to push you into immediate action.

How you can protect yourself

• Check the caller and /or the sender
  • Don’t rush. A legitimate business will never pressure you to act on the spot.
  • Ask if you can call back to validate an unauthorised activity.
  • Hang up and verify. If you’re unsure, end the call and contact CWCU directly using a number from our official website.
• Do Not click suspicious links
  • Avoid clicking links in texts or emails. Instead, type trusted URLs directly into your browser — for example, https://www.my.gov.au.
  • Always access your banking app or website directly.
• Ignore threats or pressure tactics
  • Scammers often create a sense of urgency — claiming your account will be suspended or legal action will follow. This is designed to rush you. Don’t take the bait.
• Never share personal information
  • If the caller asks for your password, bank details via phone, SMS, or email end the conversation immediately.
  • Sign up online to the Do Not Call Register

How and where to report the COLD CALL SCAM

You can report cold call scams to all the below websites and numbers.

• National Anti-Scam Centre – Scamwatch (run by the National Anti-Scam Centre, a part of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
• Local police on 131444.
• The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) hotline at 1300 CYBER1 (1300 292 371).
• IDCARE at 1800 595 160.
• Services Australia 1800 941 126
• Australian Tax Office – 1800 008

Remember:

CWCU will never ask you to transfer money to another account for “security reasons”, and we’ll never send SMS links asking you to log in or update your details. If you receive a suspicious call, message, or email, let us know immediately.