Around 100 Aussies are reporting suspected scams to NBN Co every day, with calls to the company topping 9,500 in the past four months.
The company is urging people to be vigilant as scammers ramp up their efforts to rip people off by posing as broadband providers.
"Scammers are increasing their efforts to take advantage of the NBN brand as a way to steal people's personal or financial details and using increasingly sophisticated ways to convince people of their legitimacy," said NBN Co's chief security officer Darren Kane.
As part of National Scams Awareness Week, NBN Co is launching an awareness drive across the country.
It is holding a series of information sessions across the country to arm residents - particularly vulnerable residents - with advice to help identify and avoid scammers and information on what to look out for and what to do if they suspect they have been contacted by a scammer impersonating NBN Co.
- For a list of upcoming NBN information sessions CLICK HERE
Mr Kane said the company's increased focus on scams prevention comes amid the proliferation of scammers at a time when the network rollout is reaching mass scale.
"Through our interactions with the community, we know that scams are, without a doubt, a major topic of concern with respect to the nbn. Our own contact centre has received more than 9,500 enquiries over the past quarter alone from the public, nationally, about suspected scams."
"We want to help set the record straight when it comes to scams so that Australians aren't confused or deterred from making the switch, which is why it's never been more important for residents to understand how to connect to the nbn, as well as how we communicate with the public during the rollout.
"As NBN Co is a wholesaler, we will never contact residents or businesses to sell phone or internet services. We will never make unsolicited calls or door knock for the purposes of seeking access to people's computer, threaten to disconnect your services or request personal or financial details.
"Your phone and internet provider will always be the first point of contact when it comes to making the switch to the NBN network, so if you're in doubt, hang up and contact your provider to verify the call."
NBN Co's top tips for protecting against scammers:
- Visit NBN Co's website at www.nbn.com.au/scamadvice for information on how to identify and avoid potential scammers or for advice if you suspect you have been scammed.
- Remember NBN Co is a wholesaler, which means it does not sell phone or internet services directly to the public. People need to contact their preferred phone and internet provider in order to make the switch.
- Do not share your financial information ((i.e. bank, credit card or gift card details) or personal details with an unsolicited caller or door knockers trying to seek payment for an NBN service.
- Never give an unsolicited caller remote access to your computer or devices via the installation of programs, such as Team Viewer.
- NBN Co does not make automated calls, such as robocalls, to advise of disconnections to nbn or existing copper phone line services. Do not engage with these calls.
- If in doubt, hang up and call your retail service provider on their official customer service centre number to check if the call is legitimate. Do not use contact details supplied by the caller.
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