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It's alarming to hear in the media that Australians lose over $3 billion annually to scams through various methods like emails, calls, texts, and social media. They adopt tactics such as phishing and identity theft, making it a priority for everyone to stay watchful. Here's a guide to help you stay alert and protect yourself from scams and fraud. VerifyVerify the legitimacy of anyone contacting you before sharing personal information or making financial transactions. Be cautious of unexpected messages or calls, pressuring you to act quickly or share sensitive details. Do not click on links in messages or emails. Beware of unsolicited offers                                                      Whether it's a lottery win, an inheritance from an unknown relative, or a lucrative investment opportunity, be cautious and confirm the validity of such claims before proceeding. Monitor your accounts regularly   Check your bank accounts and credit report for any unauthorized activity. Immediately report any suspicious transactions for inconsistencies to your financial institution or appropriate authorities. Install security software          Install antivirus and anti-malware software on your devices Keep your software updated to guard against the latest security vulnerabilities. Trust your Instincts                                                      If something feels off or too good to be true, it probably is. Research and consult family or friends before making decisions if something seems suspicious or too good to be true. If you have fallen victim of a scam or suspect someone has gained access to your personal information, contact Unity Bank immediately on 1300 36 2000. You can also report a scam through the Scam Watch website and find additional information on scams and how to protect yourself. 

Professional scammers are exploiting unsuspecting individuals with offers to fix account, phone, or computer issues, resulting in increasing financial losses through remote access scams. By convincing victims to download well-known screen-sharing software, criminals gain control of devices and siphon funds. Australians lost $15.5 million in 2023, with older demographics bearing the brunt of the losses. How to spot the scam Be cautious of unsolicited calls claiming device issues and impersonation of reputable institutions. Exercise caution when prompted to download remote control software. Here's how the scam operates: Victims without knowing grant scammers control over their devices, who then fabricate issues and coerce victims into divulging sensitive information. This access allows scammers to pilfer funds without detection until victims log in again. Protect Yourself: STOP – Avoid rushing into action. Hang up on anyone urging you to download software or apps over the phone. Refrain from sharing banking details, passwords, or 2-factor authentication codes during such calls. THINK – Question the authenticity of the caller. Take time to verify their identity by contacting the business independently using trusted contact details or confirming the employee's legitimacy through secure channels. PROTECT – Act swiftly if suspicions arise. Contact your bank immediately if you've disclosed financial information or made transfers. Help combat scams by reporting incidents to Scamwatch, assisting others in avoiding similar traps. If you've been affected:  Call us immediately on 1300 36 2000 if you have noticed any suspicious transactions or if you have any concerns. Seek support from IDCARE for compromised personal information. Report scams to Scamwatch and inform others to prevent future incidents.  

We have recently updated our Account & Access Facility Conditions of Use as a result of changes to the minimum age requirements of Apple Pay users. Effective 15 March 2024 Section 37.2 Digital Wallet Services now states that if you are under the age of 13, Apple Pay is not available, and you are unable to add a card in the Apple Wallet. Our latest Account & Access Facility Conditions of Use can be found here. If you would like to discuss any of these changes, please contact us on 1300 36 2000 8:00 am to 7:00 pm AEST, Monday to Friday.

From the 1st of January 2024 we are changing the way we notify Members of Interest rate changes affecting Overdraft and Credit card products. Currently, we publish an advertisement in a national newspaper advising our members of the changes to our existing Overdraft and Credit card products. From the 1st of January 2024 we will no longer be publishing an advert in the national newspaper, instead when a rate change for these products occurs, we will publish a notice to the latest news section of our website. We believe this change will improve our rate change process and this notice will be more visible and accessible to our members.   FAQ's When will this be changing?From 1st January 2024, this will take effect to future interest rate changes to our existing overdraft and credit card product holders. Why is this changing?New legislation now allows Unity Bank to publish this notification on our website instead of a national newspaper. This allows for the notice to be more visible and accessible to our members. Where can I find this notice on the Unity Bank website?When published, this notice can be found in the latest news section under the category Important Information on the Unity Bank website. I received a letter in the mail for my home loan, will this be changing too?No, interest rate letters will continue to be sent for lending products. This notification only applies to members with an Overdraft or Credit card product.

What’s New Enjoy an enhanced online experience with a seamless, user-friendly, and modern interface. Although the design is fresh, our core values and commitment to your financial security and success remain the same. For Reliance Bank Members, if you have previously bookmarked the Reliance Bank website URL, don't worry! You can continue to access the new website via www.reliancebank.com.au, and be seamlessly redirected to the updated experience at www.unitybank.com.au. The website now features Reliance Bank information and contact details in conjunction with the Unity Bank brand. Internet Banking The website has clearly marked separate login buttons for Unity Bank and Reliance Bank Internet Banking in the top-right corner, which operate the same as they do now. Why Did We Move to One Website? The costs involved in maintaining two websites are significant, and we are conscious that it is your money as a member-owned bank. The products and services are the same for Reliance Bank and Unity Bank, so it makes sense not to duplicate the costs and resources involved in maintaining two websites. Support and Contact Information Contact details, branch addresses, and member support information for both Unity Bank and Reliance Bank are prominently displayed on the website, ensuring easy access to assistance when needed. If you have any questions or need assistance exploring the new website, please do not hesitate to contact us on 1300 36 2000.

Did you know you may be eligible for a Repayment Holiday on your variable home loan? A Repayment Holiday is when you’ve built up enough buffer with your funds (available redraw) from making extra repayments on your home loan. This buffer allows you to stop or reduce the amount of loan repayments as the available redraw can cover your scheduled home loan payments. Our Repayment Holiday option enables you to take a break from your mortgage loan repayments for up to six months and gives you more flexibility to suit changes to your lifestyle, whether they're planned or unplanned. It allows you to free up funds to use as you wish - to take a holiday or purchase a large item. By drawing down on the advanced status of your loan for the holiday period at its completion you will simply return to your scheduled repayments. Case Study Graham and Belinda took out a home loan three years ago to purchase their home. Over the last two years they have been paying more than their required repayment amount every fortnight. Consequently, the extra funds have built up over time and now they have a substantial amount of advanced funds (over repayments) sitting in their home loan. Belinda is now pregnant and plans to take nine months maternity leave, however her job will only pay her for three months. Graham and Belinda want to maintain a similar level of income after Belinda has the baby, so they contact us and arrange to put their home loan repayments on hold for six months once the baby is born. During that time we'll use the extra amount in their advances to deduct the home loan repayments. So, after the six months, the total pool of available advances will be less. It's important that during the six month Repayment Holiday period Graham and Belinda don't make any significant redraws. If they do it may mean that they'll need to increase their fortnightly repayments when the Repayment Holiday is over, in order to repay the loan within the agreed term. View All Home Loans