The days of an easy grift are gone. We’re in the era of crafty and complex scam communications designed with one aim in mind: fool the consumer and take off with the goods.
We’ve broken down some perhaps less obvious scam tactics so you know what to look for, and can avoid falling victim to impersonators.
Move your money to “protect it”
I cannot count the number of times my bank (spoiler alert: it’s never my bank) has contacted me to raise a fraud alarm. I’ve been told my money isn’t safe. I’ve been urged to move it to another account to prevent further unauthorised access to it. I’ve even been told to convert it to liquid cash, or Bitcoin, or even gold to prevent it disappearing at the hands of scammers.
Scammers are especially adept at playing on our fears and hopes (e.g. the recent Centrelink pension scam). Even before cost-of-living, everyone has an innate interest in securing their hard earned money. If the first contact you receive from an unknown source is one of urgency, especially to transfer money into another account, you are almost certainly speaking to a scammer.
No matter what they say, remember your money is perfectly safe exactly where it is. Moving your money is more likely to result in you losing it.
Unsolicited tech support
You may be used to the appearance of the odd pop up prompting you to update your malware or run a diagnostic check.
Scammers are now tapping into this protection reflex and posing as “tech support”. A warning may pop up on your screen saying your computer has a virus. Or, more commonly now, a warning may appear that your bank or superannuation account has been exposed to fraud activity. The message will likely also include a number to call for support.
If you do call this number, you’ll inevitably end up speaking to a scammer. They may try to get you to move your money into a different account, or liquidate it for “safe keeping”. The problem is, this is a lie – the scammer is the one who controls the account, and now has access to your money.
It’s easier to simply call your reliable tech support team – such as our remote assistance support team for Comvergence customers – to ensure you’re speaking to someone who really wants to help you, not injure you.
Remote access scams
Similar in nature to the push for technical support scam, remote access scams often start with a phone call impersonating a trusted source (i.e. your bank, the ATO, Telstra – the list goes on).
Increasingly, the first contact will often involve the scammer spruiking some new technology to help with their banking. This could be an app, a new chat bot, or some type of software. The scammer will then direct you to download said app or software to your phone or computer allowing them access to your device.
From there the scammer has everything they need to access your account and steal whatever they wish.
Top tactics to protect yourself
Stopping the scammers can feel like a constant battle. But if you remember to follow some simple tips, you’ll become a more difficult target:
- Never give out your details to unknown entities.
- If in doubt, always call the institution the caller is claiming to be from first. Request the caller’s customer service number if need be.
- Never share any verification details you receive via SMS or email. It’s their portal into your personal details and money.
- Update your computer software regularly via your trusted security or telecom partner to ensure you’re protected.
Unsure where to start with firewalls protection for your business? We’ve got you covered. Contact our experienced security team to take your security back into your hands.
