ING scam: Sinister new email banking conspiracy is scamming Aussies out of their money – here are the tricks to watch out for
Australians are being warned of a sneaky new scam in which an email allegedly from a major bank offers higher interest rates on term deposits.
The e-mail trick shows a brochure which includes letterhead and a phone number of ING offering advantageous term deposits.
The six-page brochure tells customers that the bank offers interest rates of 5.25 percent to 6.45 percent on term deposits, between three months and five years.
Fraudsters email bogus brochures claiming to be from ING about great interest rates on term deposits.
In the brochure, customers are informed about the options for making deposits ranging from $25,000 to $250,000.
The fake document was sent to people using an unofficial ING email address.
It contains several imprints of the ING logo which is identified by its distinct orange and black colors.
The front page of the brochure has a footprint of two children in the background, with the page titled “Time Deposit Interest Rates 2023”.
Below the main title, a subtitle printed in orange letters reads “ING Bank (Australia) Limited”.
A number included in the booklet reveals the fraudulent scheme, after the scammer was confronted with 2 GB radio host Chris O’Keefe on his Thursday show.
After a brief pre-recorded message that sounded like an ING spokesperson, the scammer then answers the call.
“ING, how can I help you today? can we hear the scammer say.
He then puts the call on hold after being confronted by O’Keefe about the scam, before hanging up.
O’Keefe then calls the number several times and at one point asks the scammer, “Why do you scam people?”
The bogus document offers higher interest rates on deposits, ranging from 5.25 percent to 6.45 percent on deposits made for terms of three months to five years.
An ING spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that the brochure was a scam and that the bank had informed customers of the incident on its site. website.
“ING encourages all of its customers to visit ING’s security page for regular updates on scams. Customers can also report scams through this page,” the spokesperson said.
According to ING website, the interest rate for a two-year term deposit is 4.95 percent.
The brochure includes logos and imprints of ING’s orange and black logo to try to look legit.
An ING spokesperson confirmed the brochure was a scam and urged customers and anyone to whom the email was sent to ensure they check the document and email address .
The highest rate offered by the bank is only 5.05 percent, for a one-year deposit.
In April, a report from the ACCC revealed that Australians lost $3.1 billion to scams in 2022, prompting the federal government to commit $86.5 million to tackle online fraud.
