Security

Fraudsters are contacting victims pretending to be from Telstra, the NBN or Microsoft, advising that their computers have been compromised with viruses or Trojans and need to be cleansed.

The victims may also be advised that their internet speed is slow and they need a new modem. The victims are then instructed to download and install a remote access program, which provides the fraudsters with access to their computers.

The fraudsters then usually instruct victims to login to various websites including Internet Banking. Once this has occurred, the fraudsters may then conduct Internet Banking transfers to third party accounts without the victims knowledge. During the call, the victim is instructed to provide their  PIN and Token Code as part of the cleansing process. There are also other variations to this scam.

• If you receive a call that you were not expecting, just hang up and call back on a listed number for that company.
• Never provide a third party with Remote Access to your computer while you are logged into Online Banking.
• Never provide your PIN or Token Code information to a third party.
• Never enter your PIN or Token Code into the Rabobank Internet Banking site, unless you are conducting Banking services.

For more information regarding this scam, see the following link from the Scamwatch site - https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams/attempts-to-gain-your-personal-information/remote-access-scams

The gradual move from in-store to online shopping, has resulted in scammers setting up fake online-stores offering non-existent or fake goods. Some scammers are also offering goods at reduced prices via social media websites, but when the goods arrive, they are found to be of inferior quality.

• Be wary of unknown websites selling goods at unrealistic prices.
• Always check that sites are secure “https”.
• Conducting research into the website offering goods online, will often reveal when it was established. Scam websites are often recently established.
• Be wary of websites demanding payment via wire transfer, money order, or direct credit to third party accounts.
• This link provides an example of websites offering goods for sale that don’t exist - https://www.scamnet.wa.gov.au/scamnet/Scam_types-Buying_or_selling-Online_shopping_scams-Fake_farming_machinery_websites.htm.

For more information regarding this scam, see the following link from the Scamwatch site - https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams/buying-or-selling/online-shopping-scams

Romance scammers are lurking on online dating websites looking for unsuspecting victims. Initial contact is also sometimes made via email, SMS, Facebook, WhatsApp and Messenger, etc.

Once contact is made, these scammers are very good at gaining the trust of vulnerable victims. They will often promise to fly to Australia in order to start a new life with the victims.

These scammers will often send images of themselves, but these images are often stolen from various websites on the internet.

Usually within two to five months of contact and false promises, the scammer will start to ask for money. Some of the more common stories used by Romance Scammers are detailed below.

• The scammer is in the military, is currently working overseas and needs money for living expenses, to secure his release, or to pay for projects etc.
• The scammer is overseas and is involved in an antiques, gold, art or gemstones business and needs money to get the goods out of the country.
• The scammer requests money for airfares to enable a meeting with the victim.
• The scammer is currently overseas finalizing their late parent’s estate and requires funds to assist with funeral expenses or other costs.
• The scammer is an Engineer working on an oilrig overseas.
• The scammer is trapped in an airport with a bag full of cash, gemstones, gold etc. and needs to pay a fine before the goods can be released.
• The scammer may promise to fly to meet the victim but is then involved in an accident on the way to the airport and requests financial assistance to pay for medical expenses.
• The scammer may sometimes claim that they are originally from the same country as the victim and will normally promise to repay any money sent.
• Don’t send money to unconfirmed people that you meet online.
• Don’t offer to receive funds from people you meet online, these funds are often stolen.
• A google image search may assist in determining whether images received have been stolen.

For more information on this scam see this link from the Government Scamwatch page - https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams/dating-romance

Scammers are sending emails, SMS messages, social media messages, or letters to people, advising that they have won a lottery, sweepstake, prize or award etc. that they never entered, or had any knowledge of.

Victims are usually advised that in order to collect their winnings, they will be required to make an up-front payments for various reasons, including taxes, stamp duty, insurance costs, courier charges, bank fees etc.

• Be wary of messages regarding competitions or lotteries that you have not entered.
• Prize winners are not usually required to pay fees or taxes in order to receive their prize.
• Always independently confirm unexpected messages from people that you know, because social media or email accounts are sometime compromised or spoofed.
• Conducting your own internet research will often highlight common lottery and other prize related scams.

For more information on this scam see this link from the Government Scamwatch page - https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams/unexpected-winnings/unexpected-prize-lottery-scams