Latest News
MEU AGM Northern Mining NSW 2023
We have supported the Mining & Energy Union (MEU) for over 50 years and understand the highs and lows experienced over that time. The MEU is a division of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union, representing mining and energy workers for over 150 years.
At Unity Bank, we’re proud to offer local and personal services in key mining areas across Australia. That’s why we support various community events and AGMs MEU are involved in throughout the year, providing exceptional service to workers across Australia. No matter when you need us, we’re here to help you make the best decisions about your financial future.
Bank Impersonation Scams
We'd like to draw your attention to the increasing number of bank impersonation scams in Australia, which have been growing in sophistication and complexity.
Unity Bank MUA Working Waves 2023
Unity Bank has sponsored the annual MUA Working Waves event for over 20 years. This surfing competition is held over a single day at Norah Head, a surf beach on the Central Coast of NSW and is organised through the MUA Newcastle Branch. It is always enthusiastically supported by members and sponsors, with some competitors travelling from interstate.
The MUA retired members have the “Barbie” going all day and it is a great event for MUA members, family, and friends.
This year was again a fantastic day out with amazing weather, and fun had by all.
How strong passwords can help protect your money
There are several reasons why using strong passwords to protect your money is crucial. With the rise of cybercriminals over the last few years, providing an extra layer of security is essential to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive financial information. Strong passwords are more difficult for hackers to guess or crack, making it more difficult for them to access your account.
A strong password should contain a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters and be at least 8-12 characters long. It should also be unique and not easily guessable by others.
If a weak password is used, it can be easily cracked by automated password guessing tools or by hackers who use social engineering tactics to guess or obtain passwords. This can lead to unauthorized access to your bank account, allowing hackers to steal your money or personal information.
Therefore, using strong passwords is an essential step in protecting your financial security and keeping your sensitive information safe.
Latest Scam Alert: Linkt Scams
We are urging our Members to be wary of messages impersonating Linkt (QLD Toll Road Provider) requesting your card details to make a payment or update your details by clicking a link, most often contact is made through SMS and WhatsApp. These are phishing scams designed to steal your credit card details and then used to set up a digital wallet, such as Apple Pay or Google Pay operated by a scammer.
To protect yourself from these scams, please follow the advices from ACCC.
- Do not click on any links in unexpected messages. Even if you expect a message, it is best to access the information directly from a website or a source you have found independently.
- Pay attention to typos or grammatical mistakes in the text message. Delete the message and do not respond.
- If you think you have an unpaid bill, contact the company separately through their legitimate channels.
- Do not reply to the message. Delete and block the number.
If you are concerned about the security of your account or believe you have been scammed, contact us immediately on 1300 36 2000.
Free Bank@Post Withdrawals
From 1 January 2023 Unity Bank members including business account holders will no longer have to pay a fee to withdraw funds using the Bank@Post service available at over 3,100 Post Offices throughout Australia.
For Members without easy access to one of our branches or a nearby ATM, banking at the local post office provides a convenient alternative. Until now a $2.60 fee ($3 for Business Accounts) has applied for withdrawals to cover the cost of Australia Post providing the service. From 1 January 2023 this cost will now be absorbed by the Bank, and the withdrawal fee removed.
Click here to learn more about Bank@Post facilities. You can access the Fees and Charges Transaction Limit Document here.
Updates to our Fees and Charges Transaction Limit Document
Effective 14 November 2022
Since 28 February 2022 we have been phasing out member chequing services.
This process has now been completed and our Fees and Charges Transaction Limit Document has been updated to remove the following fees.
-
cheque dishonour fees;
-
cheque honour fees (where a cheque paid to the Bank causes a member’s account to be overdrawn/over limit)
You can access the Fees and Charges Transaction Limit Document here.
Protecting Your Data
Important Data Security Message
We are aware of the Optus data breach involving the loss of Optus customer data. Our systems have not been compromised as a result of the Optus data breach. Our real-time monitoring of your accounts helps detect and protect you from unauthorised activity.
Unity Bank Protection
Keeping your account and personal information safe remains our priority.
- Member information is constantly monitored for data-breaches, including the recent Optus breach. We have also implemented additional verification and transaction monitoring processes to protect our members accounts.
Protecting your own personal information
- Always remain vigilant against phishing and other scam communications that may lure you into clicking on links and attachments or sharing your personal information.
- Setting a strong, unique password and changing it regularly is key to keeping your accounts safe.
- Enable multi-factor authentication for all online services, including online banking.
- Using PayID to send money allows you to see details about who you are paying, before you pay them, helping protect you from scams.
- Unsure whether a message is legitimate? Check our latest scam alerts before clicking anything.
Questions to ask & things to look out for
- Do you know the sender, and do you usually receive SMS messages from the sender? Beware, scammers can mimic the phone numbers of legitimate organizations.
- Does the message seem generic or does it contain errors and grammatical mistakes?
- SMS Phishing, or ‘Smishing’ messages, play on your emotions by creating a sense of urgency, followed by a link to click. For example, ‘Your account is temporarily frozen, please login immediately to lift the restriction’.
If you’re concerned your ID may have already been compromised, IDCARE is an independent organisation that provides free support to individuals impacted by fraud or scams. IDCARE have released a Response Fact Sheet relating to the Optus Data Breach.
For more information on protecting your data please visit Money Smart. If you're worried or you’ve noticed a suspicious transaction, call us immediately on 1300 36 2000.
Protecting Your Information
Protecting your information is our absolute priority – and there are several ways you can help too.
- NEVER share your password or Internet Banking login details
- We will NEVER contact you to ask for your passwords, or card or account details
- We will NEVER send you an SMS containing links
So please watch out for any unexpected phone calls, SMS or emails asking for private details or information about you or your banking credentials … no matter who they say they are, or who they are pretending to be.
If you come across anything like this, or feel that something just doesn’t seem right, please report it immediately to us on 1300 36 2000.
For more information on protecting your information please visit Scamwatch.
2022 Annual Report
|
2022 was another highly successful year for Unity Bank Limited. Review our financial summary and hear first hand from those we serve how our Member-first approach has made all the difference. |
|
How to Protect Your Privacy Online
Published on September 23 2022
With the increase in cyber crimes, we urge you to be on the look out for scams and take steps to secure your personal information.
Latest Scam Alert: Hi Mum Scams
We are urging our Members to be wary of phone messages from a family member or friend claiming they need help, following a significant rise in 'Hi Mum' scams. The scammer will claim they have lost or damaged their phone and are making contact from a new number, most often contact is made through WhatsApp.
Use PayID to combat scams
PayID is free to register and easy to use, it helps to stop scams because unlike a traditional payment, the payer can see a confirmation screen, which includes the intended PayID name, before they confirm the payment.
Find out more from the Australian Banking Association
Special tribute to Ina Heidtman
We pay special tribute to Ina Heidtman upon her passing on 18 May this year.
Ina was one of the 20 distinguished Member signatories whose support gave rise to the formation of the Waterside Workers of Australia Credit Union in 1970; the foundation stone for what we now know as Unity Bank.
Among her many achievements, Unity Bank stands testament to the vision and the lifelong commitment of Ina and her fellow signatories to supporting Australian workers.
Important Reminder: Making payments in the new app
Thank you to all our members for embracing the new app! We appreciate that changes with technology can be challenging.
Did you know?
Making a payment looks a little different in the new app. When making a payment to a BSB/account number, be sure to check the ‘To’ payee section, where you can choose the pay type as Standard or Osko (if the receiving institution accepts both).
Read more: Important Reminder: Making payments in the new app
Download the Unity Bank App
Did you know you can do your banking 24/7 from the convenience of your mobile phone with the Unity Bank app? The app is a simple and secure way to do your banking anywhere, anytime, without having to visit a branch.
Let us know when you are travelling overseas
If you're going overseas, please let us know. It means we'll expect some transactions from overseas and can help look out for any suspicious transactions.
Central Coast Regional Show
Unity Bank has been the major sponsor of the Central Coast Regional Show since 2019, most recently held 30th April - 1st May 2022 at the Gosford Showground. With great success, the show offered fruit & vegetable judging, cake decorating, knitting & craft, animals, cars, kids' activities and more—a great family fun day. Unity Bank will always be a community bank & support our local communities, putting our members first always.
Sanctions on international transfers and payments involving the state of Russia
Unity Bank Limited supports and must uphold the sanctions on international transfers and payments involving the state of Russia. This will impact SWIFT, Visa, Mastercard, Western Union and other payments directed to or coming from Russia.
Always Be On The Lookout To Avoid Scams
As your Mutual Bank, we strive to educate and operate vigilantly to prevent our Members from falling victims to scams or frauds. In the past few years, we have advised Members about different types of scams. The latest scam is where the caller identifies themselves as a representative of the "Fraud Department", "Visa Fraud Monitoring Team" or "Fraud team in Collins Street Melbourne" to coerce Members to provide their personal information, card number and transactional data.
More Articles...
- What is the ‘Flubot’ scam?
- In honour of John Coombs
- An Important Change to our Relationship Rewards Program.
- Spear Phishing: What is it and how to protect yourself.
- Important Change to Osko® Daily Limits
- Personal Loan Checklist
- Two-Factor Authentication, what is it and why you need it.
- Saving for an emergency
- A Commitment Worth Its Length In Gold
Page 1 of 2
