Protect Yourself from Fake Sustainability Investment Bonds (Mar 25 Protection Update)

Relevant For:

People considering investment opportunities online.

Key Points:

• Scammers impersonate Bunnings offering fake “investment bonds”.
• Promises of government protection and unusually high returns (up to 9%) are false.
• Scammers use fake websites and spam emails to appear credible.
• Always verify if the offering entity is licensed.
• Act fast: report suspicious activity and contact your bank immediately.

Full Article:

Recently, scammers have targeted Australians by promoting fake “Bunnings-branded sustainability investment bonds”, promising suspiciously high returns of up to 9% with government guarantees.

These fraudulent schemes trick victims through convincing fake websites and spam emails that mimic genuine businesses, making them appear safe and trustworthy. However, these offers are completely false.

Here’s how to protect yourself and your finances:

Stop and Think

Before you act on any investment opportunity, pause to consider whether it feels genuine.

Unrealistically high returns and government guarantees should raise immediate red flags.

How to Spot the Scam:

• Impersonation of trusted brands (like Bunnings)
• Websites that mimic real organisations
• Direct email spam promising high returns and safety guarantees
• Urgent prompts to invest quickly

Check Before Investing:

• Confirm if the investment provider is licensed through the ASIC register.
• Verify legitimacy via the official Australian government investor alert list at MoneySmart.gov.au.

Understanding Bonds:

Real bonds are financial instruments used by businesses or governments to raise funds, typically considered safer than stocks. Legitimate bonds can offer stable, moderate returns, not unusually high or “guaranteed” profits.

Always remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.