Phone scams

Scam tactics

Scammers are very sophisticated, which can make a scam difficult to spot.

Scammers may:

• pretend to be from an organisation you trust and ask for your personal details in a call or a text
• say that you have won a prize or there’s money waiting for you
• use logos and copy real text messages to look legitimate
• disguise their number/s, to make it look like they’re calling from somewhere local
• call over and over, making it hard to ignore
• use ‘robocalls’ or recorded messages saying your internet will be disconnected and ask for payment or personal data
• lie and tell you stories, like your computer needs urgent attention
• act like it’s an emergency and tell you something bad will happen if you don’t click a link or call a number to check your details.

It’s probably a scam if:

• a call or text sounds too good to be true
• someone you don’t know has your personal details
• someone claiming to be your bank (or another institution that you trust) calls or texts you to ask for personal information or money
• you’re threatened or made to feel afraid
• someone asks to access your computer.

• Don’t answer if you don’t know who it is. Let the call go to voicemail first. If the caller leaves a number, check that it matches the one on their website.
• Don’t reply or click on any links in text messages.
• Don’t ever send money.
• Don’t ever tell anyone your personal details—passwords or other sensitive information.
• Don’t ever let someone take control of your computer.

You should:

• Block callers—your phone company can tell you how.
  • On a mobile phone, there may be a setting to block specific numbers. You can also use an app (but watch out for charges).
  • On your home phone, you can get a handset that lets you block calls, or you can get a device for your existing phone that can block callers.
• Use a password on your mobile.
• Check text messages carefully. Look for things that don’t look right—bad spelling, strange sender name or number.
• Put a lock on your home mailbox—this way, people can’t steal items that may give information about your identity.
• Check if an unknown number is from an official source by checking online. Typing the number into a search engine like Google might come up with details about the owner of the phone number.
• Carefully choose who you share personal details with online and update privacy settings on social media.

The resources include:

• posters in English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Arabic, Vietnamese and Italian, and for First Nations Australians
• social media graphics and animations.

Scamwatch:

• Report a scam
• Where to get help
• Protect yourself from scams

Australian Cyber Security Centre:

• Report a cybercrime
• Protecting yourself from remote access scams

IDCARE:

• Contact IDCARE if you’ve had personal details stolen. You can also call 1800 595 160

ACMA:

• FAQS from the Do Not Call Register
• What to do if your phone number is stolen
• Stop getting spam
• Protect yourself from unwanted telemarketing
• Information about calling line identification and spoofing
• Sign-up for our phone scam e-bulletin

Phone companies:

• Optus
• Telstra
• Vodafone

If a company uses your private information and you did not agree, you can complain to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.