Proposed AFCA Rules changes to expand jurisdiction over receiving banks in scams
We welcomed this year’s Federal Government announcement and Authorisation to expand AFCA’s jurisdiction to enable AFCA to consider complaints against banks for scam matters where an AFCA complainant does not have a customer relationship with the bank, including receiving banks.
We hope the proposed changes to the AFCA Rules (Rules) will significantly expand AFCA’s capabilities to investigate and make adverse findings against banks who do not do all they can to stop scam activity, including though mule bank accounts, which has significantly contributed to scammers being so effective in stealing $2.03 billion last year from Australians.
At the same time, banks have deliberately pushed people online to undertake all their banking but without implementing the proper safeguards.
These proposed jurisdictional changes will provide greater bank accountability and transparency, both under existing laws and under the
Scams Prevention Framework (SPF) and serve as an incentive for banks to adequately monitor and disrupt scam activity. This expansion of jurisdiction also has the potential to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of AFCA external dispute resolution (EDR) service, including for victims of scams.
Read the full submission (PDF).
Consumer Orgs Submission on AFCA Rules & jurisdiction over receiving banks in scams – 13 June 2025