ANZ has officially launched its Digital Padlock feature, designed to give customers instant control if they suspect their accounts are under attack.
The new tool, described as an Australian-first, acts as a “last resort” lock to stop scammers in their tracks and prevent unauthorised access in real time.
The feature is available through the ANZ App, ANZ Internet Banking, and the ANZ Plus App, with plans to roll out for ANZ Internet Banking for Business customers in the near future. Once activated, Digital Padlock locks digital access, freezes eligible cards, and secures services while the customer contacts ANZ for assistance. Account access will only be restored after ANZ confirms it is safe to do so.
ANZ fraud and scams lead Melissa Hendrickson said, “When a scam hits, every second counts. Digital Padlock lets customers shut things down immediately, providing real-time support in a stressful situation. It’s like locking your front door when something doesn’t feel right – simple, fast, and reassuring.
“We know how distressing it can be to feel like someone’s trying to access your money. Digital Padlock gives our customers the power to instantly take back control, acting as a direct line of defence to help give people some peace of mind when they need it most.
“Scams move fast, and so should our response. By giving customers the ability to take defensive action immediately, we can help stop cybercriminals in their tracks before any damage is done.”
Customers can trigger Digital Padlock after spotting suspicious activity, such as unauthorised logins, dodgy links, or sharing personal information with a scammer. Once active, the tool blocks logins, card transactions, and attempts to reset credentials while alerting ANZ’s fraud monitoring system. Importantly, future-dated payments like loan instalments remain unaffected.
The launch follows ANZ’s investment in multiple scam-prevention technologies. These include ANZ First Responders, a team handling thousands of scam-related cases; the CallSafe verification system; Scam Safe security controls for ANZ Plus customers; enhanced biometrics for onboarding and authentication; and the Confirmation of Payee service, which ensures account names match before payments are processed.
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