- How
this scam works
The scammer will phone you
and pretend to be a staff member from a large telecommunications or
computer company, such as Telstra, the NBN or Microsoft. Alternatively they may
claim to be from a technical support service provider.
They will tell you that your
computer has been sending error messages or that it has a virus. They may
mention problems with your internet connection or your phone line and say this
has affected your computer's recent performance. They may claim that your
broadband connection has been hacked.
The caller will request remote
access to your computer to ‘find out what the problem is’.
The scammer may try to talk you into
buying unnecessary software or a service to ‘fix’ the computer, or they may ask
you for your personal details and your bank or credit card details.
The scammer may initially sound
professional and knowledgeable—however they will be very persistent and may
become abusive if you don't do what they ask.
You don't have to be a Telstra or
Microsoft customer to be called by these scammers. You don’t even have to own a
computer!
Warning signs
- You receive a phone call out of the blue and the caller
claims to be from a large telecommunications or Computer Company, or a
technical support service provider.
- They tell you that your computer is experiencing
technical problems and they need remote access to sort out the
problem.
- They ask you to buy software or sign up to a service to
fix the computer.
- They ask for your personal details and your bank or
credit card details.
- The caller is very persistent and may become abusive.
Protect yourself
- Never give an unsolicited caller remote access to your
computer.
- Never give your personal, credit card or online account
details over the phone unless you made the call and the phone number came
from a trusted source.
- If you receive a phone call out of the blue about your
computer and remote access is requested – hang up – even if they
mention a well-known company, well-know companies does not request credit
card details over the phone to fix computer or telephone problems, and is
not affiliated with any companies that do.
- Make sure your computer is protected with regularly
updated anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and a good firewall.
Research first and only purchase software from a source that you know and
trust.
- If you have fallen victim to a scam or you receive a
lot of unsolicited emails and phone calls consider changing your email
address and phone numbers.
