Safe and Secure Digital Banking

Welcome to the new year from Bendigo Community Bank Cannonvale-Proserpine Branch Manager, Amanda Anderson, and the team.

In today’s digital world, convenience and security must go hand in hand. Online banking has made it easier than ever to manage money – paying bills, transferring funds and checking balances anytime, anywhere – but staying safe online is just as important as staying connected.

At Bendigo Community Bank Cannonvale–Proserpine, keeping customers’ money and personal information secure is a top priority. Our systems include 24/7 fraud monitoring, multi-factor authentication, Payee Check for first-time payments, and secure online banking tools designed to protect customers at every step.

However, online security is a shared responsibility.

Community Bank Branch Manager Amanda Anderson shares some simple actions everyone can take to reduce risk:

1. Strong, unique passwords remain the first line of defence. Avoid using personal details or common words and consider longer passphrases instead. Updating passwords regularly – particularly after suspicious activity – adds another layer of protection.
2. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is another powerful safeguard. This extra verification step, such as facial recognition, fingerprints or prompts sent to your phone, makes it much harder for fraudsters to gain access.
3. Public WiFi networks can also pose risks. While convenient, they can allow hackers to intercept information or mimic legitimate networks. Customers are encouraged to avoid accessing online banking while connected to public WiFi.
4. Staying alert to security notifications and banking alerts is equally important. These notifications allow customers to approve or reject activity in real time. If something doesn’t look right, changing your password and contacting the bank immediately can make all the difference.
5. Phishing scams remain one of the most common threats. These emails or text messages often pretend to be from a trusted organisation and create urgency to trick people into clicking links or sharing information. Your bank will never ask for banking details via email or text, and suspicious messages should always be reported.

“A simple rule to remember is: Stop. Think. Protect” says Amanda. “Stop if something feels wrong. Think about whether a message or call could be fake. Protect yourself by acting quickly and contacting your bank.”

At the end of the day, our goal is simple – to provide Whitsundays locals with banking that’s personal, secure and built around what really matters.

If you ever have questions or concerns about online security, the team at Bendigo Community Bank Cannonvale–Proserpine is always happy to help.

Visit Amanda and the team at Whitsunday Plaza Cannonvale
Call (07) 4948 3599
Email cannonvale&proserpinemailbox@bendigoadelaide.com.au
Bendigo Bank – the better big bank.

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