It is critical that when changing a BSB and Account number as a result of an email received from a supplier or known associated, you verbally validate this request.

in 2017, Australian businesses were targeted by business email compromise scams with the trend continuing in 2018. Reports to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and Australian Cyber-crime Online Reporting Network (ACORN) about this scam exposed over $22.1 million transferring from businesses to scammer accounts during this period.

Top tips to avoid incurring financial loss to scammers

1. Always verbally check the BSB and Account number changes using a trusted phone number. Confirming a change via email is not a secure method of validation.
2. Scammers often pose as executive staff members to direct employees to make urgent payments. Once again, always verbally validate these requests using a trusted phone number.
3. If you are unable to contact the requestor, contact the recipient bank to confirm if the BSB and Account number match the name of the account.

Source: Westpac – https://www.westpac.com.au/security/fraud-and-scams/