Cyber Safety Awareness Webinar: How to Protect Yourself from Online Scams and Data Breaches

Our first Financial Wellbeing webinar, delivered in partnership with Crime Stoppers Victoria, focused on helping members protect themselves from scams and cybercrime. Cybersecurity expert Corch, consultant to Crime Stoppers Victoria and Chief Trouble Shooter at Shogun Cybersecurity, shared practical tips to recognise threats, avoid phishing scams, and safeguard personal data. Watch the full recording below and access the Smart Scam Guide to strengthen your online safety.

Watch the webinar recording

You can now watch the full recording below, and access the Smart Scam Guide, developed in collaboration with Crime Stoppers Victoria, providing step-by-step tips to protect your personal and financial information.

As part of our ongoing Financial Wellbeing Series, BankVic hosted a Cyber Safety Awareness Webinar, in partnership with Crime Stoppers Victoria.

Led by Angela Martin, BankVic's Financial Wellbeing Program Manager, and featuring guest expert Corch from Shogun Cybersecurity, the session explored how everyday Australians can stay safe online, recognise scams, and protect their personal information.

Why cyber safety matters

With scams and data breaches becoming increasingly common, understanding how cybercriminals operate is vital. During the webinar, Corch explained that scammers don't just target big organisations, they target individuals, too.

"Most people think scammers are after large companies," said Corch, "but individuals are often easier to manipulate and less protected."

He discussed how emotional manipulation, fake websites, and malicious emails are used to trick people into sharing personal or financial details.

Common threats to watch out for

Throughout the session, members learned about:

  • Phishing scams: emails or messages pretending to be from trusted sources
  • Impersonation scams: fake calls or texts claiming to be from government agencies
  • Romance and investment scams: emotional manipulation for financial gain
  • Malicious websites and extensions: fake or compromised pages designed to steal information
  • Data breaches: how stolen data can lead to identity theft

Practical tips for staying safe

Corch shared simple, effective actions members can take to boost online safety:

  • Use strong, unique passwords for every account
  • Update browsers and apps regularly to patch vulnerabilities
  • Avoid clicking unknown links or downloading unsolicited attachments
  • Be cautious on public Wi-Fi and check URLs carefully before entering credentials
  • Install browser extensions only from trusted developers

He also highlighted the importance of keeping alert to typosquatting — where fake websites use slightly altered domain names to trick visitors.

If your data has been compromised

If you believe your personal information has been exposed in a data breach:

  1. Change all passwords immediately
  2. Notify your bank or financial institution
  3. Place a credit freeze with credit reporting agencies to prevent fraudulent activity

Angela also reminded members that if you notice suspicious activity or receive a scam message, contact BankVic immediately on 13 63 73.