Warnings when connecting to Westpac via Akahu

When connecting to Westpac via Akahu, Westpac will immediately send you a very alarming - and possibly inaccurate - text message. This is nothing to worry about; neither your password nor your PIN have been changed. None of your details have been compromised.

Inaccurate text message

Unfortunately, Westpac has had extremely poor messaging in the form of a text message sent to you when you connect your accounts via Akahu. The same type of message is sent to you when you use a new Westpac mobile banking app for the first time.

This happens because Akahu uses the same systems as your Westpac mobile banking app.

This text message reads:

*WESTPAC ALERT*

Your Online Banking passwd or PIN changed at 17:25 08/10/2020.

If you did not make this change call us immediately on 0800 400 600.

Despite the wording of this message, there is no cause for concern if you receive this message within minutes of connecting Westpac to PocketSmith via Akahu. The message is inaccurate as neither your password nor your PIN has been changed during the setup process, and none of your details have been compromised.

Improved text message

We have received reports from some PocketSmith users that Westpac has improved the text message when creating an Akahu feed and it is no longer inaccurate.

The new text message reads:

*WESTPAC ALERT*

Your Westpac customer ID has been registered on an Akahu device. If you did not do this, call us immediately on 0800 400 600

Which text message did you receive?

We aren't certain that all users are receiving this improved text message.

If you have created a Westpac feed with Akahu recently, can you please let us know which version of the text message you received?