Keep up to date and avoid become a victim to scammers

Have you been scammed?

COVID-19 scams

1. Phishing - Government impersonation scams
2. Phishing - Other impersonation scams
3. Superannuation scams
4. Online shopping scams
5. Scams targeting businesses
6. How scammers contact you

• Do not provide your personal, banking or superannuation details to strangers who have approached you.
  
• Stop and check, even when you are approached by what you think is a trusted organisation.
  
• Don't click on hyperlinks in text/social media messages or emails, even if it appears to come from a trusted source.
• Never respond to unsolicited messages and calls that ask for personal or financial details
  
• Never provide a stranger remote access to your computer, even if they claim to be from a telco company such as Telstra or the NBN Co.
  
• To verify the legitimacy of a contact, find them through an independent source such as a phone book, past bill or online search.
  
• The best way to detect a fake trader or social media shopping scam is to search for reviews before purchasing. No vaccine or cure presently exists for the coronavirus.
  
• Be wary of sellers requesting unusual payment methods such as upfront payment via money order, wire transfer, international funds transfer, preloaded card or electronic currency, like Bitcoin.
  

Threats and extortion

• Malware tricks you into installing software that allows scammers to access your files and track what you are doing, while ransomware demands payment to 'unlock' your computer or files.
  
• If you click on the link you may be taken to a fake website that looks like the real deal, complete with logos and branding of legitimate sites. In order to view the video, you will be asked to install some software, such as a 'codec', to be able to access the video format. If you download the software, your computer will be infected with malware (malicious software).
  
• Another way of delivering a malware scam is through websites and pop-ups that offer 'free' file downloads, including music, movies and games, or free access to content, such as adult sites.
  
• Malware scams work by installing software on your computer that allows scammers to access your files or watch what you are doing on your computer. Scammers use this information to steal your personal details and commit fraudulent activities.
  
• Ransomware is a type of malware that blocks or limits access to your computer or files, and demands a ransom be paid to the scammer for them to be unlocked.
  
• Infected computers often display messages to convince you into paying the ransom. Scammers may pretend to be from the police and claim you have committed an illegal activity and must pay a fine, or they may simply demand payment for a 'key' to unlock your computer.
  
• If you pay the ransom, there is no guarantee your computer will be unlocked.
  

How to report a scam