NewsBite

Pensioner warns others of scam from bogus Telstra workers

An elderly Doncaster woman has told how con artists claiming to be from Telstra remotely accessed her computer, before she wised up to the scam when they asked for her banking details. Has this happened to you?

A Doncaster woman has warned people to be wary of scammers.
A Doncaster woman has warned people to be wary of scammers.

A Doncaster pensioner allowed suspected hackers pretending to be from Telstra to remotely access her computer before wising up to the scam and hanging up when they asked for her banking details.

The con artists phoned Nicola Michaels shortly after New Year’s Eve, offering to help improve the performance of her computer.

But when the crooks asked Ms Michaels for her banking details she smelled a rat and hung up.

POLICE INVESTIGATE GROWING EFTPOS SCAM

SCAM WATCH: HACKERS TARGET SMALL VICTORIAN BUSINESSES

Now she’s warning others to be alert to scammers.

“They asked me if my computer had been running slowly and, well, it had,” Ms Michaels said.

A Doncaster woman has warned people to be wary of scammers.
A Doncaster woman has warned people to be wary of scammers.

A female hacker tricked Ms Michaels into allowing remote access to her computer.

“I hate to think she had access to my files but luckily there’s nothing of any value on there. I don’t use internet banking,” she said.

“It’s a warning for older people especially who are probably more likely to be sucked into giving out their details.

Artwork for Leader reader survey


“I’m in my 70s and a pensioner and this made me think about the consequences of someone giving out their details. It makes me livid.”

Ms Michaels contacted Doncaster police after the incident and was referred to a technician in Nunawading, who has since checked her PC for malicious software and updated her security.

MORE NEWS

CAN YOU SMELL DIRTY SOCKS IN YOUR GARDEN? THIS COULD BE WHY

KONMURI DECLUTTER CRAZE SPARKS PECULIAR SIDE EFFECT

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/news/pensioner-warns-others-of-scam-from-bogus-telstra-workers/news-story/fa2b809205e285724816a4e521c49dd3