Telstra Norwood shop employee sacked, under investigation, for alleged mobile phone fraud involving “small number” of customers

Telstra says it is working with customers whose accounts may have fallen victim to alleged fraud by a Norwood employee.

An Adelaide Telstra store employee has been sacked and is under police investigation for fraudulently contracting mobile phones, the company says.

The telecommunications giant has told The Advertiser that SA Police is investigating the incident involving an employee at the Norwood licensee store on The Parade.

“As soon as we became aware of a potential issue, Telstra’s fraud team undertook a comprehensive internal investigation and the employee was sacked,” the company said in a statement.

“We’re working with any affected customers to ensure they’re appropriately remediated.

“The matters is currently under investigation with the South Australia Police so it wouldn’t be appropriate to comment further.”

A spokesman said a “small number” of “primarily business customers” were effected. He said Telstra was made aware of the alleged fraud early last month.

Dr Alvin Chua said an Apple iPhone 12 256GB phone was charged to his account.

The revelations came after Campbelltown-based GP Dr Alvin Chua took to his social media account claiming he had been the victim of “identity theft” at the Norwood outlet.

Dr Chua said an $1800 Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max phone and new number had been issued in his name using his driver’s licence photo, the last five digits of his credit card and an “incorrect address” and a “misspelt middle name”.

He realised something was amiss when credit reporting agency Equifax alerted him, in February, to a change of address on his personal file to Maylands, which he did not recognise.

He said investigations led to the discovery that a new phone had been issued in his name.

He reported his concerns to Telstra’s fraud department and was advised on April 7 that the alleged perpetrator had used a fraudulent drivers’ licence to purchase the phone in December, according to Telstra correspondence sighted by The Advertiser.

Dr Chua had also unwittingly amassed $702 in phone bills. Telstra cleared the debt and disconnected the service after Dr Chua raised his complaint.

SA Police confirmed the matter was under investigation. A police spokeswoman said no arrests had been made.