Perth Business Owner Hit by $60,000 Direct Debit Fraud

Mark Bossong, a Perth business owner, has reported that approximately $60,000 was taken from his engineering business accounts through 60 unauthorized direct debits since December 2025.

Bank's Response: 'Close Accounts' as Only Solution

ANZ, Mr. Bossong's bank, initially reversed the fraudulent transactions and refunded the money. However, the bank informed Mr. Bossong that it could not prevent further unauthorized direct debits and suggested closing the accounts as the only solution. ANZ stated that its review found no errors in account management or its handling of the activity, asserting compliance with the BECS (bulk electronic clearing system) direct debit framework and regulatory obligations.

The bank's suggestion to Mr. Bossong was to close his accounts as the only solution.

Customer's Recourse and Manual Mitigation

In response to the situation, Mr. Bossong lodged a report with the WA Police and filed a complaint with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) regarding the bank's response. To mitigate ongoing unauthorized withdrawals, his business implemented a complex workaround requiring him to manually block and unblock his bank accounts for each transaction.

Calls for Systemic Change Amid Vulnerability Concerns

Mr. Bossong intends to move his accounts to another bank following the incident. He suggests that the direct debit system itself requires structural changes, noting a concerning pattern: some unauthorized debits were traced to a third-party company handling gym membership transactions. This indicates a potential vulnerability in the BECS, where legitimate platforms can seemingly be exploited for unauthorized withdrawals.

AFCA Reports Surge in Direct Debit Complaints

The incident comes as the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) has reported a significant increase in direct debit-related complaints. AFCA noted a rise from an average of 33 complaints per month in 2025 to 60 in January 2026, highlighting a broader issue affecting consumers and businesses.