ASB is sounding the alarm over a surge in highly convincing scam calls, with fraudsters impersonating bank staff and asking customers to share verification codes or enter details on fake websites.

The bank warns it will never ask for passwords, PINs, or one‑time codes.

The scammers have been asking people to verbally share verification codes to access online banking, or directing them to fake bank websites to enter details.

ASB fraud and scams general manager Richard Joseph said the callers are very sophisticated and, in many cases, are claiming they have detected fraudulent activity on a person’s bank account, in order to appear more convincing.

“While our fraud team may call customers to verify unusual transactions, we won’t ask for login credentials.

“We will never ask for your banking passwords, PIN, verification codes sent through your mobile phone or codes from your token.

“We will never ask you to type a web address into your browser, nor ask you to enter any of your details or codes. The only web address ASB uses is www.asb.co.nz.”

ASB customers who receive a call from someone claiming to be from ASB can ask for a caller check.

The bank will send a secure message directly to their ASB mobile banking app to verify they are actually speaking with ASB before sharing any information.

“If anyone claiming to be ASB can’t send a Caller Check notification, or if a customer receives a Caller Check anywhere other than the ASB Mobile Banking app, it’s likely a scam,” Joseph said.

“If anyone is in doubt about whether they’re really speaking to their bank, hang up and call back on one of its publicly listed numbers.”

ASB is urging any customer who believes their account may have been compromised to contact the bank immediately on 0800 ASB FRAUD (0800 272 372), or +64 9 303 0332 if calling from overseas, or to visit their local branch.