Hang Up On remote Access Scammers - Austraion Government National Anti-Scam Centre 'Scam Watch'

 

Hang up on remote access scammers Criminals who contact you unexpectedly offering to help 'fix problems' with your account, phone or computer are causing increasing financial loss through remote access scams. Professional-sounding scammers ask you to download well-known screen-sharing (or remote desktop application) software. They then use this software to steal from you. Australians reported losing $15.5 million to these scams in 2023, with criminals stealing averages in the tens of thousands of dollars. Australians over 65 years old are losing the most money in these scams. How to spot the scam You get an unexpected phone call from someone telling you there's a problem with your account, phone, or computer. They may pretend they're calling from a well-known bank, internet, phone, software or web security business and they can help you 'fix the problem'. They tell you to download software or an app which will let them remotely control your computer or mobile phone. How the scam works When you download the software or app they say they need to 'fix the problem', the scammer can now fully control your device. They don't fix any problem, because there's no problem to fix. They ask you to tell them your banking passwords or one-time security codes. Sharing these lets the scammer access your bank accounts, personal information and steal your money. You might not realise they have stolen your money and emptied your bank accounts until the next time you log in. Protect yourself STOP – Don’t rush to act. Hang up on anyone asking you to download software or an app over the phone. Never provide banking information, passwords, or 2-factor identification codes over the phone. THINK – Ask yourself if you really know who you are communicating with? Take the time to call the business you're dealing with using independently sourced contact details, or check you're talking to a real employee using their secure app. PROTECT – Act quickly if something feels wrong. If you've shared financial information or transferred money, contact your bank immediately. Help others by reporting to Scamwatch. If you've been affected If you have lost money, contact your bank or financial institution immediately. If you've had personal information stolen or need support to recover from a scam, contact IDCARE on 1800 595 160. Help others by reporting scams to Scamwatch. Tell your friends and family: you can share your experience, get support and help to protect others from scams. Who is the National Anti-Scam Centre? The National Anti-Scam Centre is where government and industry work together to protect Australians. We’re harnessing shared resources and smarter analytics to cover blind spots, strengthen weak links and use data to react faster, stopping scams before they happen. Our aim is to make Australia a harder target for scammers. For more information about how to avoid or report a scam, visit the Scamwatch website. We send these alerts to tell you about new scams and how to avoid them. We don't use links in these emails. Not clicking on links in emails and messages is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself from scams.

'Deepfake' Clickbait Scamming Woul-Be Investors - National Anti-Scame Centre

 

'Deepfake' clickbait scamming would-be investors Fake news and 'deepfake' videos of celebrities and public figures appearing to promote online investment platforms are increasing on social media. 'Deepfakes' are lifelike impersonations of real people, created by artificial intelligence (AI). Scammers create ads and fake news articles to make you believe the celebrities actually use these scam investment platforms. The platforms claim to use AI and other technologies like quantum computing to create high profits for investors. How to spot the scam You see an article or video on social media about a celebrity or public figure who appears to promote an investment platform they say they've made a lot of money on. These trading platforms include the names ‘Quantum AI’, ‘Immediate Edge’, ‘Immediate Connect’, ‘Immediate X3’, and ‘Quantum Trade Wave’. How the scam works Scammers use social media ads, ‘deepfake’ videos and fake news articles ('clickbait') about celebrities and public figures claiming to make big profits from online trading platforms. Links to these scam platforms take you to a website where you're asked to sign up to the platform. After you submit the form, the scammer (pretending to be an account manager) calls you, telling you to pay around $250 to access the platform. They tell you to download a cryptocurrency app so you can 'invest' more. Using an online dashboard that appears to show small profits, scammers persuade you to invest more. They may let you take out a small amount of money to gain your trust. When you try to withdraw your funds, they demand withdrawal fees or mention tax issues to access your money. You may be locked out of your account. You won't get your money back. Protect yourself STOP – Don’t give personal information or act on investment advice you have come across on social media. Don’t feel pressured to invest. If you have any doubts, stop communicating with them. For more information about reducing the risk of investment scams, visit ASIC's Moneysmart website. THINK – Ask yourself if you really know what you are investing in? Scammers can create fake news to make it seem legitimate. Do an internet search to see if it’s an online investment trading platform scam. PROTECT – Act quickly if something feels wrong. If you have shared financial information or transferred money, contact your bank immediately. Help others by reporting scams to Scamwatch. If you've been affected If you think you're involved in an investment scam or you've experienced cybercrime and lost money online, contact your bank immediately. For crisis support to help with emotional distress about scams, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or use their online chat. Beyond Blue also provides support for anxiety and depression: call them on 1300 224 636. You can also chat online through their website. Help others by making a report to Scamwatch. You can make your report without sharing your name. Who is the National Anti-Scam Centre? We're a specialised team within the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission that launched on 1 July 2023. Our aim is to make Australia a harder target for scammers. For more information about how to avoid or report a scam, visit the Scamwatch website. We send these alerts to tell you about new scams and how to avoid them. We don't use links in these emails. Not clicking on links in emails and messages is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself from scams

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