Worrying spike in nbn scammers using remote access to target Aussies

New data has revealed Australians have lost millions of dollars in nbn and toll road operator scams, with those aged 65 and over hit the hardest.

More than $1.2m has been lost to nbn scams so far this year, with new research revealing nearly 2000 Australians have been targeted.

Data from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has found 1778 Aussies have lost $1,242,081 to this type of scam in the period from January 1 to September 30 alone.

Nbn chief security officer Darren Kane said the majority of the incidents were remote access scams, one of the fastest growing types of online crime in Australia.

In these situations, scammers call a victim and offer to fix a problem on their computer via remote access, instructing them to download software that allows them to access personal information such as bank details.

Australians lost more than $1.24m to nbn scams from January to September. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

“Every year, scammers are becoming more sophisticated in their approaches and strategies to extort money,” Mr Kane said.

“They know how to sound convincing, create a sense of urgency and frequently change their scripts to leverage the latest products and news from companies like nbn to build credibility.”

Australians aged 65 and over were found to be the most vulnerable to the malicious scam, accounting for 81 per cent of victims.

Ahead of Scam Awareness Week, starting on November 27, Mr Kane said wider recognition of how to manage correspondence from scammers was needed.

“The rule of thumb is if someone claiming to be from nbn contacts you to ask for access to your devices or offers to improve your internet speed for you, hang up on them and report it to the ACCC’s Scamwatch,” he said.

Toll road operator Transurban received more than 440,000 scam reports in just 18 months. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Scams using fake notices of overdue road toll accounts are also becoming more widespread, with major toll road operator Transurban receiving more than 440,000 scam reports in just 18 months.

With these types of scams, scammers are more likely to use SMS phishing tactics and are increasingly ‘spoofing’ legitimate phone numbers to impersonate toll road operators more convincingly.

With more sophisticated spoofing technology, scam texts can sometimes appear in the same conversation thread as genuine messages from an organisation.

Transurban general manager of customer experience and operations, Chris Jackson, said the lack of Australians reporting scams to authorities was of particular concern.

“We all have a role to play in fighting scams, and by reporting a suspicious text you’re doing your bit to protect yourself and others from receiving the same scam,” he said.

More than 80 per cent of people don’t report such scams to toll road providers or law enforcement, a trend of increasing concern as more Aussies gear up to hit the road these holidays.

Messages purporting to be from legitimate organisations but which contain incorrect spelling or grammar are likely to be a scam. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

“Before you travel, it’s a good idea to check that your Linkt account is up to date, especially if you haven’t used a toll road in a while,” Mr Jackson said.

“And if you think you’ve travelled on a toll road recently and are unsure whether you’ve paid for the trip, the best thing you can do check your account directly in the Linkt app or website, or give us a call if you need a hand.”

This Scam Awareness Week, Aussies are being reminded to keep an eye out for potential giveaways that they are dealing with a scammer.

The use of incorrect grammar or spelling is a red flag, as are vague or unspecific requests by people purporting to be from a legitimate organisation.

Additionally, strange links that don’t lead to legitimate websites or any use of urgent or threatening language if immediate action isn’t taken is a cause for concern.

A legitimate nbn provider will never call a customer to tell them they’ve been hacked, ask to do a speed test or remotely access devices.

If you think you have received a scam text or phone call, you should immediately hang up or delete the written correspondence and notify the ACCC’s Scamwatch.