Protecting your personal and financial information is important to us.
Cybercriminals increasingly impersonate trusted businesses to steal sensitive information, redirect payments or install malicious software.
The good news is that a few simple checks can help you identify suspicious emails and stay protected online.
We’ll Always Address You by Name
Genuine emails from Allan Hall will address you personally.
Example:
Dear John
Be cautious of emails using generic greetings such as:
- Dear Customer
- Dear Client
- Valued Customer
- Dear Sir/Madam
- Generic greetings are a common warning sign of phishing emails.
Check the Sender’s Email Address
Emails from Allan Hall staff come from an email address ending in @allanhall.com.au. For example: [email protected].
Always check the complete sender address carefully. Scammers often use email addresses that look legitimate at first glance but contain subtle spelling mistakes, additional characters or different domain names.
We Will Never Ask for Sensitive Information
For your protection, Allan Hall will never ask you to provide any of the following by email or over the phone:
- Passwords
- PINs
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA) codes
- Tax File Number (TFN)
- Online banking credentials
If you receive a request for any of this information, do not respond. Contact Allan Hall immediately using the phone number published on our website.
Be Alert to Payment Requests
Business email compromise is one of the most common forms of cyber fraud. Our bank account details remain consistent and will only be communicated through authorised channels.
Always be suspicious if you receive an email asking you to:
- Pay into a different bank account
- Update your saved payment details
- Make payment using gift cards or cryptocurrency
- Urgently transfer funds without prior notice
Always verify any changes to payment instructions by calling us directly before making a payment.
Before You Click Any Link
Cybercriminals often disguise malicious websites to look genuine. Before clicking a link or entering any information:
- Hover over links to see where they really lead.
- Check that the website address (URL) is exactly what you expect.
- Look carefully for spelling mistakes or unusual web addresses.
- Don’t rely solely on the padlock icon or HTTPS. While secure websites use HTTPS, phishing websites can too.
- If you’re unsure, type the website address directly into your browser instead of clicking the link.
Seven Habits That Help Keep You Safe Online
Good cybersecurity starts with simple everyday habits.
- Check the website address. Before entering personal or payment information, confirm you’re on the correct website and that the URL matches exactly what you expect.
- Don’t trust the padlock alone . HTTPS encrypts your connection, but it doesn’t guarantee a website is legitimate.
- Think before clicking. Avoid clicking links in unexpected emails, text messages or social media messages, particularly if they create urgency or ask you to log in.
- Be cautious of pop-ups. Unexpected pop-ups and online advertisements can redirect you to malicious websites. Close them rather than interacting with them.
- Keep your devices protected . Use reputable antivirus software and keep your operating system and applications up to date.
- Use trusted websites. Only provide personal or financial information to organisations you know and trust. If you’re unsure, research the business first.
- Use a password manager . Generate a unique, strong password for every online account. A password manager makes this easy and significantly improves your security.
Unsure? Contact Us
If you receive an email claiming to be from Allan Hall and you’re not confident it’s genuine, contact Allan Hall immediately using the phone number published on our website before clicking any links, opening attachments or making a payment.
Stop. Check. Verify.
If an email:
- Creates urgency
- Requests confidential information
- Asks you to change payment details
- Includes unexpected attachments or links
- Doesn’t feel quite right
Pause before taking any action. A quick phone call to Allan Hall could prevent fraud, identity theft or financial loss. Your security is important to us.