If you receive an email that appears to be sent from someone at Fonterra notifying you that we have changed our bank details, or requesting alternative bank account details from you, it is very likely to be from a fraudster.
Fonterra will never randomly send you an email requesting you to pay funds into a different bank account. Don’t reply to the email and avoid clicking on any links or attachments.
Instead, if you believe you have received a fraudulent email impersonating a member of the Fonterra team, please forward the suspicious email to our Cybersecurity team at CyberFraud@fonterra.com.
Recognising suspicious communications
Cyber fraud attempts often involve a scammer contacting your organisation impersonating a representative of Fonterra. Scammers often use email addresses that appear similar to a known email address – so it can be difficult at first glance to see that it’s a scam.
Here are a few common signs of fraudulent communications:
- You receive an unexpected email, letter or phone call from someone claiming to be a Fonterra employee or contractor asking for an urgent payment or a bank account change to be made.
- You are asked to provide confidential information (e.g. bank account details) from a contact you don’t recognise.
- Your organisation is asked to send money through untraceable agencies, or for secrecy to be maintained.
- You receive an inquiry directly from one of Fonterra’s senior leaders, such as the CEO or CFO.
- The query you receive seems unusual and doesn’t quite make sense.
Reporting suspicious communications
If you believe your organisation’s business or financial information has been compromised from a cyber fraud attack impersonating a Fonterra representative, please contact Fonterra’s Cybersecurity team at CyberFraud@fonterra.com. This advice applies to all vendors and customers who receive suspicious emails, phone calls or text messages.
In addition to reporting suspicious contact to our Cyber Fraud email address, do not share any information with the suspected scammer and cease contact with them immediately.