By Hannah Barry
Some Bankwest customers have been unable to use their debit cards over the Christmas period after a “sustained and targeted” security attack.
It’s understood a number of cards were blocked by Bankwest after their security procedures identified the attack, which appear as minor fees from a company posing as Amazon Digital, or Amazon.com.
A text message sent to affected customers.
The transactions remove small amounts from debit accounts, believed to be a means for fraudsters to test for active cards.
Bankwest said it acted quickly to shut down the cards of those affected and notified customers as soon as possible.
“Bankwest confirms our security procedures have detected a sustained and targeted attack on our customers’ debit Mastercards, resulting in some cards being blocked,” a spokesman said.
“Affected customers have been notified and holds have been placed on the compromised cards to protect the security of our customers’ accounts while new cards have automatically been issued.
“Our technical teams have been working on the issue as a priority. As a result, full functionality has been returned to our customers’ cards — except for online purchases — while they await the arrival of their new cards.”
It is understood some cards may take time to come back online, and some customers may not be able to access their funds in store until full services are restored.
Online purchasing will be blocked on Bankwest cards indefinitely until the customer receives a new card.