CON artists are using the NBN to scam people out of their money and personal information.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's Scamwatch has received 316 complaints this year about scammers impersonating NBN officials with nearly $28,000 reported lost.
"Scammers are increasingly using trusted government brands like NBN to trick people into falling for scams. Their goal is always to either get hold of your money or personal information," said the commission's deputy chair Delia Rickard.
These scammers are mostly using three ways to con their victims:
- signing victims up to fake accounts - scammers will ring victims to 'connect' them to the NBN network for a low price. They will often demand payment be made through iTunes gift cards
- gaining remote access to computers - scammers pretending to be from NBN will call a victim with claims there are problems with their computer. The scammer uses this ruse to gain remote access to the victim's computer to steal valuable personal information, install malicious software or demand payment to fix 'problems' they have discovered
- phishing - scammers impersonating NBN will call victims to steal valuable personal information like their name, address, Medicare number, licence number. The scammer may tell the victim they're entitled to a new router, for example, and say they need these personal details to confirm the victim's identity.
"Australians over 65 are particularly vulnerable to this scam with fraudsters using phone calls to target their victims," Ms Rickard said.
"NBN will never phone you out of the blue to try to sign you up to a service over its network. NBN is a wholesaler meaning they don't sell direct to the public. If you get an unsolicited call like this, it's a big red flag that you're dealing with a scammer.
"NBN will also never call you to remotely 'fix' a problem with your computer, or to request personal information like your Medicare number or your bank account numbers. Don't listen to the reasons they give you for needing this information." Ms Rickard said.
"Finally, if someone ever asks you to pay for a service using iTunes gift cards, it is 100 per cent a scam. Legitimate businesses, especially those like NBN, will never ask you to pay for anything in this way."
How to protect yourself from scammers
- If you receive a strange call and are in doubt, hang up the phone and call your retail service provider to check if the person calling is a fraud.
- You can only connect to the NBN network by purchasing a plan through a phone and internet service provider. Go to NBN's website to check if your home or business address is able to connect to the NBN network and see which phone and internet providers are available in your area.
- 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.
- Never give an unsolicited caller remote access to your computer.
- If you think you have provided bank account or credit card details to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately.
