As the end of financial year approaches, ANZ is urging its business customers to stay scam safe, including by ensuring passwords are up-to-date, but most importantly secure, with Australia’s three most common passwords revealed.
ANZ General Manager of Transaction Banking, Business & Private Bank, Cosi De Angelis, says it may seem simple, but a secure password can provide vital protection.
“The end of financial year is the number one time of year for cyber criminals to strike.
“Scammers know that in the lead up to the end of financial year, businesses are moving money around, paying bills and getting their affairs in order, and they do whatever they can to take advantage of that.
“Updating and maintaining a secure password is a business owner’s first line of defence, and a simple, easy action business owners can take to remain a step ahead.”
What business owners change their password to, however, is equally, if not more important, with NordPass revealing the most common passwords across Australia.
The top three most used passwords are: ‘admin’, ‘password’ and ‘123456’, with each used by tens of thousands of Australians.
“While it isn’t always convenient to come up with a new password, it is crucial to helping keep your business safe. The best passwords are long, unique and unpredictable,” Mr De Angelis continued.
Another simple password tip for business owners is ensuring your password is never shared with anyone.
“It is vital that business owners understand that ANZ will never ask you to share your password with us.
“If someone calls you claiming to be from ANZ and asks for your password, hang up the phone immediately. This is a major scam red flag.”
Ahead of the end of financial year, businesses should cross-check all contact with their bank, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), and other government organisations.
In 2025, ANZ saw a spike in rebate scams during the end of financial year period, with the volume of rebate scams (total number of scam cases created) increasing by 67% in July before dropping sharply in August.
Impersonation scams followed a similar trend, rising by 15% in July before decreasing in August.*
Top 3 most common passwords in Australia:
- admin
- password
- 123456
Top 10 most common passwords globally:
- 123456
- admin
- 12345678
- 123456789
- 12345
- password
- Aa123456
- 1234567890
