Bendigo Bank’s initiative to enhance online safety through Banking Safely Online sessions has garnered significant interest, with more than a thousand customers and numerous community group members benefitting from the program since its launch in September.
The face-to-face digital literacy education program, conducted in local branches, rotary clubs, football clubs, fishing clubs, and various community gatherings, has witnessed a remarkable response.
With 109 sessions held nationwide within just four months and an additional 89 sessions planned for the future, the program has become a resource for navigating the digital landscape securely.
Delivered by experienced personnel, the 30-minute standardised classes focus on the benefits and importance of digital connectivity, emphasising security measures against scams and fraud.
Jason Gordon, head of fraud prevention at Bendigo Bank, highlighted the effectiveness of these sessions in bridging the digital divide and educating customers facing the challenges of the evolving online landscape.
“The popularity of these sessions proves just how important the hands-on approach is for many of our customers,” Gordon said. “We all know about the growing prevalence of financial crime, and we understand fraud and scams are quite confronting, which is why we’ve seen so many people want to better educate themselves about how they can stay safe while online.”
“We want all our customers to feel supported and safe online, and these sessions are specifically designed to make new and existing digital banking users comfortable and confident.”
Customer feedback from the sessions has been overwhelmingly positive, with participants expressing appreciation for the practical insights gained, including “always check before you click.”
Nick Carter, general manager of digital banking at Bendigo Bank, highlighted that these sessions not only assist customers in safeguarding against scams but also boost their confidence in conducting simple transactions online.
“We know that one in four Australians are digitally excluded with older people, people with disability, low-income families and First Nations people at higher risk, not to mention those living in remote and regional areas,” Carter said. “While these sessions help our customers to stay safe online, they also help build confidence using digital applications, helping us bridge the digital divide.”
Rotary Clubs, sporting associations, and social groups are encouraged to connect with their local Bendigo Bank branches to organise Banking Safely Online education sessions for their members.
“I urge any community groups or customers out there to reach out to their local branch and express their interest in attending one of these sessions soon in the future. The more people we can empower, the better,” Gordon said.
The initiative complements Bendigo Bank’s broader measures against cyber and financial crime, including multi-factor authentication, blocking high-risk cryptocurrency transactions, and continuous monitoring for suspicious activity.
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