Latest news with #NationalAntiScamCentre
SBS Australia
11 hours ago
- SBS Australia
Australians warned of new 'spoof call' scam impersonating consumer watchdog
Australians are being warned that scammers are reportedly spoofing phone numbers belonging to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) in an attempt to steal personal information. The National Anti-Scam Centre, which operates under the ACCC, issued a warning after it became aware of scammers using ACCC phone numbers, which are listed on the agency's official website. Here's what you need to know about the latest scam, how to spot it, and what to do if you are targeted. The scammers are reportedly using the phone numbers to pretend to be representatives of the ACCC and request personal information from unsuspecting recipients. According to the National Anti-Scam Centre, the numbers have been "spoofed", and the ACCC does not make calls from the publicly listed numbers. ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe said: "Spoofing is when scammers disguise their phone number to make it look like they're calling from a trusted organisation — including government agencies like the ACCC — to deceive people into answering and sharing personal information." "This is a tactic that helps scammers hide their true identity while posing as trusted institutions — it's designed to lower your guard." If a call or message feels suspicious, the ACCC recommends ending the call and contacting the agency directly to verify the information. In some of the reported incidents, scammers requested sensitive information over the phone, misused the ACCC acronym to impersonate an unrelated organisation, or spoke in a language other than English. The ACCC says it will never 'cold' call or email consumers and ask for personal information such as passwords, bank details, or answers to security questions. The ACCC also does not charge money for its services and does not threaten or pressure you to stay on the line. If a caller does any of these things, it could be a scam. The ACCC suggests hanging up and reporting the incident. The National Anti-Scam Centre also said 'urgent' requests asking people to 'act immediately' could be a sign of a scam. If you receive an unusual call, message or email, consider whether it could be fake — even if it appears to come from an organisation you know and trust. The ACCC advises if something feels wrong, it is best to act quickly. End the call, and contact the organisation directly yourself to verify if the call was real or not. Any scams should be reported to ScamWatch, and messages received on platforms like WhatsApp or iMessage should also be reported. If you have provided personal information, contact IDCARE on 1800 595 160 and contact your bank immediately.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Scammers cheat Aussies out of millions in four months
Australians have lost at least $119 million to scams in the first four months of 2025, as phishing cons almost tripled in value. The consumer watchdog's National Anti-Scam Centre is calling on businesses to join forces to share data to combat increasingly sophisticated frauds. "Scams are affecting Australians of all ages, often beginning with an unprompted or unexpected contact via social media and other digital platforms," Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said. "Sharing information is a key step towards improving community safety – organisations, such as banks, digital platforms, and telecommunication companies, can help disrupt scams faster and reduce the harm they cause." While the number of overall scam reports in the first four months of 2025 fell by almost a quarter to 72,230, value of losses swelled to $119 million, Scamwatch data showed. Phishing scams - where criminals use trusted channels to trick people into revealing personal information - accounted for $13.7 million in losses, nearly tripling compared to $4.6 million in early 2024. The use of social media to target victims is on the rise, with the number of people reporting losses jumping by almost half to more than 3300, as total losses spiked by more than 30 per cent to $23.4 million. Phone scams are on the decline, falling 11 per cent compared to early 2024, but they still account for the biggest proportion of losses, with $25.8 million scuppered between January and the end of April. Australians aged 65 and older were impacted most by scams with losses totalling more than $33 million. "While the average and median losses per victim have slightly decreased, the rise in overall financial loss and the number of people being impacted is a reminder to stay alert," Ms Lowe said. "We encourage all Australians to report suspicious scam activity, even if no money is lost as you can provide us with vital intelligence, and talk to friends and family to help spread awareness." While a piece of data could seem unremarkable on its own, it could help form powerful intelligence when combined with other leads, Ms Lowe said. "With data held across the ecosystem, sharing data with the National Anti-Scam Centre enables those vital connections to be made," she said. The watchdog urged Australians never to give away personal information if uncertain and noted scammers would try to create a sense of urgency. The ACCC advised people to hang up the phone and call back organisations via a trusted number to verify the contact, and to call their bank immediately if money is lost. People worried after handing over personal information should call IDCARE on 1800 595 160. Sign in to access your portfolio
