Online safety tips to protect your banking

Here are some simple things you can do to stay safe while banking online.

Couple at kitchen bench smiling at laptop.

People First Bank uses industry-standard encryption to help you to stay safe while you’re online banking with us. But there are some additional simple things you can do to stay safe online and protect your finances. We’ve put together some online safety tips so you can feel secure when you're banking online.

Check the URL

Always type www.peoplefirstbank.com.au into your browser when accessing Online Banking to make sure you're not filling your details into a fake website. An easy way to make sure you don’t accidentally type the wrong address is to save our website as a favourite or bookmark. This will also allow you to access our website and Online Banking with one click.

Watch out for fraudulent emails and online scams

Hackers can create emails or text messages that look authentic, as an attempt to collect your personal information. Don’t follow links in emails asking for your account, card or personal details.

If you have been contacted or are concerned about your privacy, please call us directly on 13 11 82 or visit a branch. Please be aware, we will never send you an SMS containing links, and we will never ask for sensitive information via SMS, such as an access code, verification codes or Online Banking password, or ask you to move your money.

People First Bank may need to contact you via call or SMS from one of these mobile numbers to confirm suspicious transactions:

  • +61 489 988 024
  • +61 437 126 492

People First Bank has anti-fraud measures in place to protect our members, including:

  • 24x7 card transaction monitoring using industry standard fraud systems
  • Dedicated and expert fraud team
  • Industry-standard encryption on our Online Banking system in addition to transaction monitoring
  • Smart Chips on all our Visa Credit and Debit Cards
  • Verified by Visa for convenience and protection when online shopping
  • Member Access Password (MAP) to enable safe and secure communication and transactions without the need for unnecessary paperwork
  • Secure mailbox within Online Banking to be able to communicate with People First Bank remotely in a safe and secure manner
  • We’ll ask some questions if you request to increase your Online Banking limit for a one-off transfer, or if you are withdrawing a large amount of cash, to ensure you’re not being scammed

You can find out more about common hoaxes and scams on our dedicated fraud and scams page.

Change your passwords regularly

Changing your password is a great way to keep your account safe. You can change your password at any time in Online Banking by selecting the ‘Settings’ tab from the top menu then ‘Change Password’ from the slide-out menu. You can also reset your password via the ‘Reset Password’ link on the Online Banking Login page.

To change your People First Bank App PIN, simply follow these steps:

  • Sign in to your People First Bank App
  • Go to the Navigation Menu, select ‘Settings’
  • Select ‘Change App PIN'
  • Enter your current App PIN
  • Enter your new preferred App PIN
  • Enter and confirm the new PIN
  • Tap 'Change'

Create strong passwords that are hard to guess and use a mix of special characters, numbers and capitals where possible. Make sure to use different usernames and passwords for different services, and don't tell anyone what they are.

If you think your password may have been compromised, you should reset your password as soon as possible by calling us on 13 11 82 or visiting any branch. For security reasons our Contact Centre will do an identity check before releasing your new password.

Install anti-virus software

You’re not expected to be an expert so the best way to protect your computer is to make sure your anti-virus software is installed and up to date. If you think your computer has been infected with a virus, change your Online Banking password straight away.

Keep track of your account

Regularly check your bank statements and account activity to look for any transactions that don’t look right. To help monitor your account, you can also set up emails to be notified of all Online Banking transactions. It’s also helpful to review your last log in date and time when signing in to Online Banking, to make sure it appears correct.

If you notice any unauthorised transactions on your account, or believe your details may have been compromised, change your passwords immediately and contact us on 13 11 82.

If you fail to promptly report any security breaches on your Account, you may increase your liability for any unauthorised transactions.

Fraud and scams

We have anti-fraud measures in place to protect our members.

Tools and guides

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Card security

Reduce the risk of card fraud with these helpful hints.

A grey-haired couple using a laptop while the man holds a phone.
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Digital Banking security

Find out more about how we keep your information safe, and how you can protect yourself online.

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Fraud protection guide

We’ve put together a guide to help you protect your finances from the most common types of financial fraud.

Security Resource Centre

The security and fraud environment continues to evolve each and every day. People First Bank will always remain committed to being at the forefront of these changes to protect our members. There are a number of organisations also committed to increasing the understanding and knowledge of these issues to help consumers protect themselves and their families.

Some key resources include:

If you think you have been the victim of a scam, contact People First Bank immediately.

If you fail to promptly report any security breaches on your Account, you may increase your liability for any unauthorised transactions.

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