ASB has launched Caller Check, a new security feature designed to combat the growing threat of impersonation scams. With scam calls on the rise, the feature allows customers to verify that they are speaking with a genuine ASB employee through a push notification in the ASB Mobile Banking app.
Research by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance found that half of New Zealanders experienced an increase in scam encounters last year, with over 40% of these occurring via phone calls. Scammers frequently pose as bank representatives or service providers to trick victims into sharing personal information or granting access to their accounts. Caller Check aims to disrupt this tactic by giving customers a simple and reliable way to confirm the identity of ASB callers.
Strengthening fraud prevention efforts
ASB’s General Manager Fraud and Scams, Brodie Macdonald, emphasized the importance of Caller Check as part of the bank’s broader fraud prevention strategy.
"We know people are often busy, distracted or multi-tasking when they're receiving calls, and want to give our customers the confidence they're speaking to the right person," Macdonald said.
Caller Check builds on ASB’s ongoing efforts to fight fraud. In 2024, the bank extended its 0800 FRAUD hotline to operate 24/7 and collaborated with the banking industry to introduce Confirmation of Payee, an additional safeguard for online transactions.
A unified approach to fighting scams
ASB continues to work alongside the government, telecommunications companies, and the wider banking sector to strengthen protections against fraudsters. Caller Check represents another proactive step in ensuring customer security, reinforcing ASB’s commitment to staying ahead of emerging scam tactics.