CommBank warns of hoax email, police investigate

Australian Federal Police are investigating a hoax email purporting to be from the Commonwealth Bank and sent to customers last week.

The Commonwealth Bank became aware of the hoax last Friday (May 30) following calls from customers querying the legitimacy of the email which advised customers the bank was trying to contact them in relation to unclaimed funds; recipients were given a telephone number and advised they should contact it.

A bank spokesman told ARN sister publication Computerworld the email was fake, adding that the hoax was very amateur as the sender "couldn't even spell the Commonwealth Bank correctly".

The spokesperson said the bank had not issued the emails, which incorrectly spelt the bank's name as the "Commenwealth".

"The email asks the customer to contact a phone number to receive money. Our concern is that customers might be asked to give account information and personal details. We want to remind customers not to give bank details to anyone," the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said the bank does not contact customers by email when dealing with unclaimed funds, and very rarely contacts customers via email, adding that contact is made by direct mail.

A statement issued by the bank warned: "Under no circumstances should customers provide any details of bank accounts or other personal information to unknown people or organisations."