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Keeping you and your money safe: shopping online this Christmas    Ahead of the festive season, many of us find online shopping to be a convenient way to buy gifts, but it’s important to stay alert and vigilant to protect yourself online.  Online scams are now a common threat. Did you know in 2025, Australians lost $259 million due to scams online (Scamwatch). GMCU Fraud & Disputes Lead, Duane Cousins shares his top tips to staying safe when shopping online:  Keep your devices up to date by having the latest updates installed and having strong passwords for all devices and accounts Use a trusted network such as your home Wi-Fi or 5G rather than public Wi-Fi  Shop at trusted sellers by doing checks prior to make sure they’re genuine sellers  Know your rights as a buyer by taking the time to ready the terms and conditions carefully Use secure payments such as PayPal, PayID PayTo or debit card to make the transaction as secure as possible  Check your bank statements regularly to make sure you’ve been charged the right amount and if you see something you don’t recognise, it could be a sign that a scam has occurred  Products that are for sale at an unusually low price compared to usual or other more reputable websites often indicate a scam  Be wary of social media stores that are new, scammers like to post fake ads and fake reviews  “Scammers are becoming more sophisticated every year, but with a few simple precautions, you can shop online with confidence. Staying informed and vigilant is your best defence,” says Duane.  “Our members and community should be able to enjoy the festive season without worry. A little extra care when shopping online can make all the difference in protecting yourself and your loved ones.”  If you think you’ve been scammed, report it to Scamwatch and call us on 1800 MY GMCU or drop into your local branch.  Don’t let scammers take your joy this festive season.  Learn more at safety tips at: www.beconnected.esafety.gov.au or at scamwatch.gov.au  

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), over half (55%) of all Australians aged 15 and over were exposed to a scam during 2020-21. At GMCU, we’re committed to keeping you and your money safe online. Which of the below are you doing to keep yourself safe? 1. Download the GMCU App Download the GMCU App and register using your Internet Banking login details. 2. Set up secure logins Set up your 4-9 digit PIN, pattern login, Touch ID (for Touch ID compatible iOS devices), or Face ID (for Face ID compatible devices). 3. Set up alerts Always use secure mail when using the GMCU App. Your mobile device is a way of accessing GMCU Internet Banking, so don’t keep your login information with your mobile device. Contact GMCU immediately if you’ve lost your mobile device or feel someone may know your login details. Ensure you log out of the app when you are finished. You can do this by tapping the padlock icon in the top right-hand corner. 4. Use new and private logins only Always ensure your GMCU App is up to date, consider setting up automatic updates on your phone. 5. Make sure your devices are secure Make sure you have passwords or biometric logins (like fingerprint, or Face ID) to your devices. And don't share passwords to your devices if you can avoid it. 6. Never send your credit card details online Never send your credit card details online, to anyone. 7. If you suspect something is fraudulent - act fast We use an Australian-based service to monitor unusual account activity 24/7. This monitoring helps us to detect and stop fraud quickly. If you receive a message asking you to return a call to us on 1300 705 750, please do so. If you receive an SMS text asking to confirm a transaction, please respond to it. 8. Understand more about scams and fraud Learn more about scams and fraud, and how to spot them (via Scamwatch from the Australian Government). Our local team are here to help. If you have any questions relating to scams or fraud, or perhaps you have concerns, please call us or visit your local branch.