Keeping your information safe is important to us. That’s why we’re letting you know about a change that will make it easier to recognise legitimate text messages from trusted organisations.
From 1 July 2026, new regulations require businesses to register their branded sender ID with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). A sender ID is the name that appears at the top of a text message, such as Summerland, AusPost or myGov.
This change will happen automatically and is designed to make it harder for scammers to impersonate trusted organisations. By helping customers identify genuine messages more easily, these new protections add another layer of defence against fraud.
What you should know
- These rules only apply to SMS and MMS messages sent using a branded sender ID.
- Messages sent from a phone number rather than a branded name are not covered. If you don’t recognise the number, take extra care before responding.
- If a message is labelled ‘Unverified’, treat it with caution and consider whether it could be a scam.
- These changes do not apply to messaging apps such as WhatsApp, iMessage or Facebook Messenger. Scam messages can still appear on these platforms, so it’s important to stay alert.
Messages from Summerland Bank
Summerland Bank’s sender ID has been registered, so you’ll continue to see ‘Summerland’ displayed at the top of our SMS messages.
If a message claiming to be from us appears as ‘Unverified’, we encourage you to pause and carefully consider whether the message is genuine before taking any action.
How to stay safe
While these changes provide greater protection, staying cautious is still one of the best ways to avoid scams.
If you’re ever unsure about a message:
- Don’t reply
- Don’t click on links
- Don’t share personal information
- Don’t send money
Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t seem right, contact the organisation directly using contact details from its official website, statements or other trusted sources.
Learn more
For more information, visit ACMA’s guide on receiving text messages from businesses and organisations.
You can also explore Summerland’s Security Hub for practical tips and information to help protect yourself from scams and fraud.
If you have any questions, we’re here to help. Visit your nearest branch or call us on 1300 728 728.
