Category: Latest News

We’re making it easier for you to manage your Border Bank cards through Internet Banking.

As part of an upcoming update, card-related services including card activation and PIN changes will move to a new Manage Cards section within Internet Banking. Bringing these services together in one place means you’ll be able to find and manage your cards easily when you need to.

What’s changing?

Currently, card activation and PIN changes are accessed through separate menu options within Internet Banking.

Following the update, you’ll be able to manage your cards through a new Manage Cards area located under Settings. From there, you can select the card you’d like to manage and choose from a range of available actions.

What can you do in Manage Cards?

The new Manage Cards section will allow you to:

• Activate a new card
• Change your card PIN
• Lock and unlock your card
• Report a card as lost or stolen
• Order a replacement card

Available options may vary depending on the status of your card. For example, card activation will only be displayed for cards that have not yet been activated.

Why are we making this change?

The new Manage Cards experience has been designed to make everyday card management simpler and more intuitive. By bringing card services together in one place, you can more easily find and manage your card settings when you need them.

Need help?

If you have any questions about managing your card or using Internet Banking, please get in touch with our Member Experience Team on 132 267 or visit your nearest branch.

19 August 2026

Border Bank and Transport Mutual Credit Union sign MOU to explore merger

Border Bank and Transport Mutual Credit Union (TMCU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore a merger between the two member owned banking organisations.

The proposed merger would bring together two industry bonded mutuals. Border Bank has grown from its policing roots to support The Border Force and their families, while TMCU has longstanding ties to frontline public service, transport workers, and the Transport for NSW community.

TMCU members will be asked to vote on the proposal in early 2027. The merger will also be subject to regulatory approval.

“This is a strong fit between two member owned organisations that understand the value of serving communities with distinct working lives and needs. We look forward to welcoming TMCU members and ensuring they can continue to benefit from mutual banking for the long term. Together, we can build greater scale to keep investing in the service, products and technology our members expect, without losing the member first approach that defines us.”

— Greg McKenna, CEO, Police Bank

“Our Board has approached this decision carefully and with one question front of mind: what will best serve TMCU members for the long term? Border Bank shares our commitment to member ownership, personal service and essential worker communities. We believe this merger gives our members the benefits and capability of a stronger mutual while preserving the values and service they know from TMCU.”

— John Kavalieros, CEO, Transport Mutual Credit Union  

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For more information, read the full FAQ here.

ATO impersonation scams: stay alert to tax‑related fraud

ATO impersonation scams are designed to pressure people into sharing personal or financial information by pretending to come from a trusted government body. These scams can happen at any time of year and often increase when people are expecting tax refunds or are unsure about their tax status.

Scammers rely on fear, urgency or the promise of a refund to manipulate victims into acting quickly. They may contact you by email, text message or phone call, claiming to be from the Australian Tax Office (ATO), myGov or another government service.

These messages can look convincing and may reference real tax processes, making them harder to recognise as scams — especially if you’ve recently lodged a return or are unsure whether you’ve met your obligations.

How ATO impersonation scams work

In many cases, scammers contact people claiming:

• Their taxable income has been recalculated
• They are eligible for a refund or compensation
• There is an issue with their tax record or myGov account
• Immediate action is needed to avoid penalties or debt recovery

To “resolve” the issue or receive a payment, victims are asked to click a link, scan a QR code, download an attachment, or provide sensitive information such as their Tax File Number (TFN), driver licence details, Medicare information or bank account details.

Some scams may even threaten legal action or payment demands, while others promise unexpectedly large refunds. Both approaches are designed to create urgency and override caution.

 

Red flags to watch for

Messages or calls claiming to be from the ATO are likely a scam if you notice any of the following:

• Links or QR codes asking you to log in to view a refund, update details or make a payment
• Requests for personal or financial information via email, SMS or phone
• Attachments to download, which may install malicious software on your device
• Threats of penalties, arrest or legal action if you don’t act immediately
• Requests to pay a fee to receive a tax refund

It’s important to know that the ATO does not send unsolicited messages with links or QR codes asking you to log in to online services, and they don’t charge fees to process refunds.

What to do if you receive a suspicious message

If you think a message or call claiming to be from the ATO might be a scam:

• Don’t click on links, scan QR codes or download attachments
• Don’t share personal details such as your TFN, myGov login or bank information
• Don’t send money or make payments under pressure

Instead, independently verify the contact by accessing services directly through official websites or trusted phone numbers. If you’re unsure, it’s safer not to respond at all.

 

If you’ve already engaged with a scam

If you’ve clicked a link, shared information, or made a payment, act quickly. Contact your bank or financial institution immediately so steps can be taken to secure your account and reduce potential losses.

Reporting suspected scams — even if you haven’t lost money — helps protect the wider community and makes it harder for scammers to target others.

At Border Bank, protecting our members is a priority. Staying informed and taking a moment to stop and check unexpected messages can make a critical difference.

Medicare phishing scams: what members need to know

Medicare phishing scams are designed to pressure you into sharing personal or financial information by pretending to come from a trusted government service.

Scammers often contact people by text message or email, claiming there is an issue with their Medicare account. These messages are designed to look legitimate and create urgency, encouraging you to act before you have time to question whether they’re genuine.

Common claims used in these scams include:

• You have an unclaimed Medicare payment or rebate
• Your Medicare services have been frozen, stopped or suspended
• Your Medicare account needs to be updated
• Your Medicare card has expired
• Your Medicare insurance details are missing or incomplete

The message will usually ask you to click a link, copy and paste a web address into your browser, or scan a QR code to “fix” the issue. These links can take you to fake websites designed to steal your information.

Once scammers have your personal details, they may attempt identity theft, access your bank accounts, or use the information to commit further fraud.

Warning signs to watch for

Be cautious if you receive unsolicited messages about Medicare, particularly if they include links or demand immediate action. Scam messages often rely on fear or urgency to prompt a response.

Red flags include:

• Requests to click links in text messages or emails
• Instructions to scan QR codes or copy a URL to log in
• Requests for payment details, credit card information, or fees
• Messages that threaten service cancellation if you don’t respond

  It’s important to know that legitimate Medicare communications don’t operate this way. For example, if your Medicare card is nearing expiry, a replacement card is usually issued automatically and sent out weeks in advance — no action is required from you.

What to do if you receive a suspicious message

If you think a message claiming to be from Medicare might be a scam:

• Don’t click links, scan QR codes, or reply to the message
• Don’t provide personal or financial information
• Delete the message once you’ve reported it

If you’ve already clicked a link or shared information, act quickly. Contact your bank or financial institution straight away so they can help protect your accounts.

Even if you haven’t lost money, reporting suspected scams can help protect others and reduce the impact of these attacks across the community.

Romance scams are designed to build trust quickly, taking advantage of emotions to manipulate you to hand over your money. These cybercriminals often hide behind fake photos and profiles, and in some recent cases, they have even turned to artificial intelligence to impersonate famous personalities.

According to data from Scamwatch, romance scams were among the top three most financially damaging type of scam in Australia in 2025. Nearly 3,500 romance scams were reported last year, resulting in more than $28.6 million in losses.

In these scams, cybercriminals create fake profiles online, using stolen photos and fabricated identities. They ‘make the first move’ and initiate contact with their target, showering them with affection and gradually building a rapport.

Typically, scammers quickly move conversations onto private channels like texts or emails, which helps them avoid detection and gives them more control over the interaction.

Some scammers may ask for money immediately while others may invest weeks, months, even years, to cultivate trust and a seemingly genuine relationship. This makes it even harder to recognise the scam, as the victim truly believes they are in a committed relationship.

Spotting the red flags

Be wary of profiles and photos that seem too good to be true, especially if the person’s online presence is limited. Keep an eye out if they try to dodge phone calls or video chats, with excuses about technical difficulties or other issues, or if they make justifications about why they can’t meet in person or access their own money.

Note any inconsistencies in the chats or on their profile, and whether they try to build a bond quickly by expressing love and affection very early on.

Some scammers may even try to discourage you from discussing the relationship with friends and family, isolating you from those who could offer support and potentially identify the scam.

 

What to do if you suspect you’ve been scammed

With romance scams, the requests for money are often repeated until the victim stops sending money, or the scammer may disappear when funds have run out or no money has been sent.

If you encounter a suspected romance scam, it’s crucial that you act quickly. If you shared personal identification information or payment details, contact your bank or financial institution immediately to secure your account.

Even if you haven’t lost any money, reporting the scam helps prevent further fraud and can assist other potential victims.