Warning over new scam targeting victims of Optus outage

A warning has been issued over a new scam that targets the victims of Wednesday’s Optus outage, urging customers to seek compensation.

Optus has announced its compensation package for customers affected by its communications outage, but that hasn’t stopped scammers from targeting its victims.

ScamWatch issued a warning on Thursday about a new hoax that masquerades as an offer of compensation for victims of the Optus outage.

“Hi there, we apologise for yesterday’s network outage,” the scam text reads.

“We are offering compensation for all customers impacted.”

The message then directs recipients to a link where they can apply for their supposed compensation. Though it’s legitimately convincing, the link is not the same as that of the official Optus website.

ScamWatch has issued a warning about this hoax. Picture: Twitter.

Given the telecommunications outage affected some 10 million Aussies — more than a third of the population — the potential reach of the scam is staggering.

Optus said it was aware of the scam.

“To help address this and for your peace of mind, we will not be sending communications (email or SMS) about this outage with links,” the telco said in a statement.

“If you have any concerns, message us anytime in My Optus app — which remains the easiest way to contact Optus, or call us on 133 937.”

Optus announced it will compensate customers with extra data. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

Meanwhile, Optus has revealed its compensation package for customers affected by the outage — and it doesn’t include cash.

Instead, the telco announced eligible postpaid customers will be able to access an extra 200GB of data, worth about $100, which they have until the end of the year to activate.

Eligible prepaid customers will have access to unlimited data on weekends until the end of the year.

Business customers will be extended the same offer, Optus head of customer solutions Matt Williams confirmed.

Optus boss Kelly Bayer Rosmarin told The Daily Telegraph that Optus will not financially compensate customers because the cost of a day without access amounted to “less than $2”.

But businesses and sole traders have pointed out that their financial loss wasn’t just related to their phone plan.

Many small businesses were unable to process EFTPOS payments, Uber drivers and gig workers couldn’t work and freelancers struggled to connect with essential contacts, resulting in potential losses of tens up to thousands of dollars.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority urged small businesses to get in contact with Optus to discuss options for compensation.

Many small businesses were financially impacted by the outage. Picture: Emma Brasier

Optus’s communications outage was far-reaching and, at times, troubling.

Landline customers reported issues calling triple-0, while Melbourne’s train network was shut down due to safety concerns because train drivers couldn’t communicate.

Multiple hospitals, healthcare services and banks were caught up in the chaos, while health authorities urged Aussies to check in on their sick loved ones in person, for fear they would be unreachable in an emergency.

The government has ordered an inquiry into the incident.