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Customers will now be able to block their accounts if they suspect they’ve fallen victim to a scam.
Westpac bank has announced the launch of a new anti-scam measure designed to give customers more control over their accounts.
Launched today (24 March), SafeBlock will allow customers to block their accounts if they think they are being scammed or have fallen victim to one.
This will block new transactions, transfers, card purchases, and ATM withdrawals, and it can be enabled via the Westpac app or online banking portal.
Customers can unblock their accounts by verifying their identity with the bank, and pre-scheduled and subscription payments are unaffected.
“We are protecting our customers from the ongoing threat of scams. Westpac SafeBlock is a game changer, offering customers a simple yet powerful tool to protect their accounts if they think they’ve been scammed,” Carolyn McCann, Westpac Group executive for customer and corporate services, said in a statement.
“From experience, we know that scammers strike when we are at our busiest, often catching out unsuspecting customers. With SafeBlock, if a customer suspects they have been scammed, they will be able to immediately block their accounts in the app, preventing any further damage.”
McCann called SafeBlock a “break-glass emergency option” for when customers need to act quickly to protect themselves and their accounts from scammers.
“We’re continuing to introduce new tools to help bring down scam losses, but we need other organisations across Australia to step up and stop scams at the source, so we can shut these criminals down,” she said.
Already in 2025, Australians have reported more than 36,000 scams to ScamWatch, costing more than $65 million.
What to do if you’re a victim of a scam
Situations such as this can be upsetting. If you, or someone you know, needs help, we encourage you to contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636. They provide 24/7 support services.
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
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