Fraud & Security

Protecting your money and your information matters to us.

This page explains how to spot the most common types of fraud, what Clarien will never ask you to do, and how to report a concern quickly.

If you or someone you care about may have been targeted, contact us straight away using the details below — you don’t need to have all the answers before reaching out.

Think you've spotted fraud on your account or online banking access?

If you notice a transaction you don’t recognise, believe someone has accessed your account, or is trying to access without your permission, or you’re worried about unusual activity, contact us immediately.

Think your debit or credit card has been used without your permission?

If you notice a transaction you don’t recognise, believe someone has accessed your account, or is trying to access without your permission, or you’re worried about unusual activity, contact us immediately.

Received a suspicious email, text or call claiming to be from Clarien?

This is sometimes called phishing (email), vishing (phone) or smishing (text) — a fraudster pretending to be a trusted organisation to get you to share confidential information or click a link to a fake website.

Don’t click any links or reply. Forward suspicious emails to us, then delete them.

Protect yourself — top fraud risks

Card & unauthorised transaction fraud
What it is

Someone uses your debit or credit card, or your card details, to make a payment you didn’t authorise.

Warning signs

Someone uses your debit or credit card, or your card details, to make a payment you didn’t authorise.

Protect Yourself

Use the Clarien Alerts App and Turn turn on transaction alerts notifications so you see activity as it happens.

Never write your PIN down or keep it with your card.

Be mindful and cautious what websites you use your debit or credit card with online.

Check activity on your credit card and account statements and the Alerts app activity regularly, and query anything you don’t recognise straight away.

What it is

A fraudster builds a personal or romantic relationship with you, often over weeks or months, before asking for money — for an emergency, an investment, or to “help them” in some way.

Warning signs

You’ve never met in person, and there’s always a reason you can’t.

The relationship moves quickly towards trust and dependency.

Requests for money follow a personal crisis, an investment tip, or a plan to finally meet.

Protect Yourself

Never send money or share financial information with someone you have only met online.

Talk to a friend or family member about the relationship before acting on a financial request.

A genuine partner will not need you to keep the relationship, or any payment, secret.

What it is

You’re persuaded, through deception or misrepresentation, to transfer money or assets into an investment that is fictitious, misleading, or not as described.

Warning signs

Guaranteed or unusually high returns with “little to no risk.”

Pressure to invest quickly, or a “limited time offer.”

Contact from an unregistered adviser, or one you can’t independently verify.

Protect Yourself

Take time — a genuine opportunity will still be there tomorrow.

Verify any adviser or firm independently before transferring funds.

Speak to us or an independent financial adviser before committing to an unfamiliar investment.

What it is

A third party gains unauthorised control of your account — often through stolen login details — and uses it to move money or change your details.

Warning signs

You’re logged out unexpectedly, or your password no longer works.

Account details or contact information change without your action.

You receive a one-time passcode you didn’t request.

Protect Yourself

Use a strong, unique password for online banking and never reuse it elsewhere.

Never share a one-time passcode with anyone — including someone claiming to be from Clarien.

Log out fully after every online banking session, especially on a shared or public device.

What it is

A client is pressured, manipulated, or deceived — often by someone they know and trust — into making financial decisions that aren’t really their own. This can affect anyone, but older clients or those relying on others for support are particularly targeted.

Warning signs

Sudden secrecy about money, or reluctance to discuss a transaction.

A new “friend”, carer or adviser who discourages contact with family.

Unusual withdrawals, gifts, or changes to account instructions or a will.

Protect yourself / support someone

Trust your instinct — you don’t need proof to raise a concern.

Encourage a second opinion before any large or unusual financial decision.

Contact us; we can talk it through, whether it’s your account or a relative’s.

What it is

A fraudster impersonates Clarien or another trusted organisation — by email, phone, text or a fake website — to get you to disclose confidential information or click a malicious link.

Warning signs

Urgent language, threats to lock your account, or a countdown to act.

A link that looks almost right but leads to an unfamiliar website when you check it.

A request for your full password, PIN, or a one-time passcode.

A caller’s voice that sounds exactly like someone you know or trust — voice-cloning tools mean this is no longer proof enough on its own.

Protect yourself / support someone

Type our website address directly into your browser rather than clicking a link.

Hover over a link to check where it really goes before clicking.

If you’re unsure, contact us directly using the number on this page or on the back of your card — never a number given to you in the message itself.

What it is

You receive what looks like a genuine email or message — often appearing to come from a solicitor, contractor, supplier, or someone you’re expecting to pay — asking you to send a payment to a “new” or “updated” bank account. The account belongs to a fraudster, not the person or business you’re actually paying.

Warning signs

A late change to bank account details, especially just before a large payment is due.

The request arrives only by email, with pressure not to call and check.

Small differences in the sender’s email address or the tone of the message compared to previous correspondence.

Protect yourself / support someone

Always confirm a change of bank details by phone, using a number you already have — not one given in the email.

Be especially cautious around large one-off payments (property purchases, contractor deposits, business invoices).

If in doubt, ask us to check the receiving account details before you send a large payment.

Still not sure? We'd rather you check than worry.

You don’t need to have all the answers before reaching out. If something doesn’t feel right, contact us and we’ll help you work out what to do next.

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Worried about a parent, older relative, or someone you care for?

Fraud can affect anyone, and older clients — or anyone relying on others for support with their finances — can be targeted through undue influence or elder financial abuse. If something feels wrong, trust that instinct.

Signs to watch out for:

How to help:

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What Clarien will never ask you to do

We will never ask you for your full password, PIN, or a one-time passcode — by phone, email or text.

We will never ask you to move money to a “safe account”.

We will never ask you to install software or grant remote access to your device.