news item

Warning: Telstra bonds investment opportunities are fake

Published

28 June 2021

  • ASIC is alerting investors about fake Telstra Corporation Limited (Telstra) corporate bonds
  • Scammers are promoting Telstra bonds offered on the ASX to legitimise the existence of the fake bonds
  • Do not buy bonds from Telstra (or any other company) that are offered via email or as a recommendation from a comparison website – these are a scam.

Be wary of callers or email offers promoting Telstra bonds

ASIC is aware that Australians have been directly offered fake Telstra corporate bonds associated with UBS and ING Bank. These investment offers are fake.

Scammers are pretending to represent well-known financial services firms including banks and are offering fake UBS or ING Bank issued Telstra bonds mirroring the characteristics of the legitimate exchange traded bond units (known as XTB) listed on the ASX.

ING Bank and UBS have both confirmed to ASIC that they are in no way associated with the offering or issuing of these bonds. Therefore, any offering of Telstra bonds associated with ING Bank or UBS is a scam.

Like all investments on the ASX, all trading in exchange traded bond units are conducted via a licensed broker on the exchange. 

Any offers to purchase any listed corporate bond, whether it be for Telstra or any other Australian company, will not be conducted via email or as a recommendation from a comparison website.

Before investing

Follow the steps on ASIC’s Moneysmart site to check if an investment is real. 

Think you have been scammed?

  • If you need someone to talk to, contact: Lifeline on 13 11 14 or their crisis support online chat (24 hours), or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36 or their online chat (24 hours)
  • If you are experiencing problems with debt contact the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 (Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4.30pm) or chat online

Related links

ASIC is Australia’s corporate, markets and financial services regulator.

Media enquiries: Contact ASIC Media Unit