During the past few weeks you may have noticed some performance issues with phones. Fraudsters have used these technical problems to their advantage and have been contacting people in Canowindra pretending to be Telstra officers. In the phone calls they sound plausible, reciting (fake) job numbers and talking about corrective activities…then they ask for financial details. Sadly, some members of the community have been fooled by these scam artists and have suffered loss of money or inconvenience as a result. Scammers will try anything to get your attention and fool you into providing access to your personal information. Woolworth’s have also alerted the public about a phishing scam where a Woolworths gift card is offered once you fill out a “Customer Satisfaction Survey”. “Phishing” is a scheme in which well-known brands are imitated to try and get personal information.
If you’re unsure about whom you’re talking to, do not provide any information or grant them remote access to your computer.
To confirm the legitimacy of the call, ask for a reference number and call back on a trusted number (a number in the phone book).
If you want to find out more information on the latest scams visit: www.stgeorge.com.au/scams
or sign up for regular online safety and security updates with Stay Smart Alert at www.staysmartonline.gov.au/alert_service
Do not be fooled by these scam operators, regardless of how plausible they sound! Never give any form of bank details or passwords over the phone.
By Eddy Wilkinson