{"id":738982,"date":"2026-06-15T23:45:08","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T23:45:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/738982\/"},"modified":"2026-06-15T23:45:08","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T23:45:08","slug":"lock-it-down-anz-urges-businesses-to-strengthen-password-security-this-eofy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/738982\/","title":{"rendered":"Lock it down: ANZ urges businesses to strengthen password security this EOFY"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the end of financial year approaches, ANZ is urging its business customers to stay scam safe, including by ensuring passwords are up-to-date, but most importantly secure, with Australia\u2019s three most common passwords revealed.<\/p>\n

ANZ General Manager of Transaction Banking, Business & Private Bank, Cosi De Angelis, says it may seem simple, but a secure password can provide vital protection.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe end of financial year is the number one time of year for cyber criminals to strike.<\/p>\n

\u201cScammers know that in the lead up to the end of financial year, businesses are moving money around, paying bills and getting their affairs in order, and they do whatever they can to take advantage of that.<\/p>\n

\u201cUpdating and maintaining a secure password is a business owner\u2019s first line of defence, and a simple, easy action business owners can take to remain a step ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n

What business owners change their password to, however, is equally, if not more important, with NordPass revealing the most common passwords across Australia.<\/a><\/p>\n

The top three most used passwords are: \u2018admin\u2019, \u2018password\u2019 and \u2018123456\u2019, with each used by tens of thousands of Australians.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile it isn\u2019t always convenient to come up with a new password, it is crucial to helping keep your business safe. The best passwords are long, unique and unpredictable,\u201d Mr De Angelis continued.<\/p>\n

Another simple password tip for business owners is ensuring your password is never shared with anyone.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is vital that business owners understand that ANZ will never ask you to share your password with us.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf someone calls you claiming to be from ANZ and asks for your password, hang up the phone immediately. This is a major scam red flag.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ahead of the end of financial year, businesses should cross-check all contact with their bank, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), and other government organisations.<\/p>\n

In 2025, ANZ saw a spike in rebate scams during the end of financial year period, with the volume of rebate scams (total number of scam cases created) increasing by 67% in July before dropping sharply in August.<\/p>\n

Impersonation scams followed a similar trend, rising by 15% in July before decreasing in August.*<\/p>\n

Top 3 most common passwords in Australia:<\/p>\n

Top 10 most common passwords globally:<\/p>\n

123456admin1234567812345678912345passwordAa1234561234567890Pass@123admin123<\/p>\n

Source: NordPass<\/p>\n

ANZ is serious about helping businesses stay safe, combining robust fraud protections with 24\/7 support.<\/p>\n

Practical education like the \u2018Stop. Check. Protect\u2019 approach is also available, and encourages busy business owners to slow down and be wary of threats, helping them identify red flags and stay one step ahead of scammers.<\/p>\n

*A rebate scam is when a scammer impersonates a trusted institution (like the government) and contacts someone to falsely claim they are owed money or a refund, while an impersonation scam involves a scammer making direct contact with a customer while impersonating a trusted bank.<\/p>\n

Download PDF<\/a><\/p>\n

For media enquiries contact:<\/p>\n

Emily Arnold
Public Relations Advisor
Tel: +61 413 610 338<\/p>\n

Kate Power
Public Relations Manager
Tel: +61 481 547 556<\/p>\n

anzcomau:newsroom\/mediacentre\/Media-Release<\/p>\n

Lock it down: ANZ urges businesses to strengthen password security this EOFY<\/p>\n

2026-06-16<\/p>\n

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