{"id":15132,"date":"2022-08-25T15:22:27","date_gmt":"2022-08-25T05:22:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/?p=15132"},"modified":"2024-12-17T15:14:25","modified_gmt":"2024-12-17T04:14:25","slug":"reducing-scam-calls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/reducing-scam-calls\/","title":{"rendered":"Scam Calls and Text Fraud &#8211; How to Reduce Your Risk &#8211; MATE"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><em>Customer guidance on scam phone calls and text messages<\/em>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Phone scamming is big, bad business<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Phone scammers cheat tens of thousands of Australians out of many millions of dollars every year, using fraudulent phone calls and text messages.\u00a0 They\u2019re cunning and calculating, but you can make yourself safer by taking some simple steps.<\/p>\n<h4>Types of scam call and text fraud risks<\/h4>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/important-stuff\/scam-calls-consumer-guidance-advice\/\">Scam callers<\/a> and texters almost always seek <em>financial gain<\/em>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>They might try to trick you into making an <em>immediate payment<\/em> to them or an associate, or they may be trying to get enough <em>information about you<\/em> to steal your identity.<\/li>\n<li>They may even try to fool you into giving them <em>remote control of your computer<\/em>, so they can read your emails or banking information or other confidential information.<\/li>\n<li>If they can successfully pretend to be you, or learn your account passwords, they might <em>steal from your bank account<\/em>, buy things with <em>your credit card<\/em>, or incur other <em>debts in your name<\/em>.<\/li>\n<li>In other cases, scammers ring your phone briefly and hang up from a premium rate number \u2013 with high call back charges \u2013 in the hope you\u2019ll see a missed call and dial back. Then the call back charges kick in \u2013 billed to your phone account.\u00a0 The scammer has arrangements to collect part of those charges at their end.<\/li>\n<li>Especially around tax time, scammers pretend to be calling from the Australian Taxation Office, seeking information or payment of money.<\/li>\n<li>Some scammers resort to threats e.g. they are from a government agency, and you have an overdue fine (that you didn\u2019t know about) \u2013 and that you\u2019ll be locked up if you don\u2019t make immediate payment to the account they nominate.<\/li>\n<li>Some scammers impersonate charities and seek donations, especially when a disaster or emergency is in the news.<\/li>\n<li>There are scammers who use \u2018spoofing\u2019 tools to send you a text that appears to have come from your own handset, hoping you\u2019ll open the message and click on a dangerous link.<\/li>\n<li>Some scammers pretend to be from a parcel delivery company, and recommend that you download certain software to track your parcel deliveries \u2013 but the software is really for giving the scammer access to your computer.<\/li>\n<li>Some scammers call to say you\u2019ve won a prize, and may ask for your account details so they can \u2018pay\u2019 the prize into your account.<\/li>\n<li>Then there\u2019s a fraud know as \u2018smishing\u2019, where you receive a message like: <em>Nice weekend coming up. Sophie and I are going to an outdoor art show, and she asked me to invite you along. Check out the event at (a dangerous web address)<\/em>.<\/li>\n<li>Other bogus texts might \u2018advise\u2019 you that your movie streaming account is about to be cancelled, and offer you the chance to keep it active by clicking on a dangerous link.<\/li>\n<li>A scam text might congratulate you on winning a prize, which you can \u2018claim\u2019 by clicking on an included \u2013 dangerous \u2013 link.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-15135\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Grey-3D-Illustration-Get-Faster-Internet-5G-Facebook-Ad-1080-\u00d7-628px-1.png\" alt=\"Grey 3d Illustration Get Faster Internet 5g Facebook Ad (1080 \u00d7 628px) (1)\" width=\"1080\" height=\"628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Grey-3D-Illustration-Get-Faster-Internet-5G-Facebook-Ad-1080-\u00d7-628px-1.png 1080w, https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Grey-3D-Illustration-Get-Faster-Internet-5G-Facebook-Ad-1080-\u00d7-628px-1-768x447.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Frauds are always working on new ways to phone scam, so no list of scams is ever complete.\u00a0 But you can learn a lot more from official Australian Government resources like:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cyber.gov.au\/\">Cyber.gov.au<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scamwatch.gov.au\/\">Scamwatch.gov.au<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.infrastructure.gov.au\/what-we-do\/phone\/unwanted-communications-faqs\">Communications.gov.au<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>We especially recommend the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission\u2019s publication the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.accc.gov.au\/publications\/the-little-black-book-of-scams\"><em>Little Black Book of Scams<\/em><\/a> \u2013 dealing with phone call scams, text message scams and other kinds of scams as well.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-15136\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Grey-3D-Illustration-Get-Faster-Internet-5G-Facebook-Ad-1080-\u00d7-628px.png\" alt=\"Grey 3d Illustration Get Faster Internet 5g Facebook Ad (1080 \u00d7 628px)\" width=\"1080\" height=\"628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Grey-3D-Illustration-Get-Faster-Internet-5G-Facebook-Ad-1080-\u00d7-628px.png 1080w, https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Grey-3D-Illustration-Get-Faster-Internet-5G-Facebook-Ad-1080-\u00d7-628px-768x447.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/p>\n<h4>Blocking suspicious or unwanted calls and text messages<\/h4>\n<p><strong>iPhones<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Do you use an iPhone?\u00a0 Make sure you\u2019ve installed the latest version of the iOS operating system and you can \u2018silence unknown callers\u2019 in your phone settings.<\/p>\n<p>Any caller that\u2019s not in your contacts list will be diverted to voicemail.\u00a0 Listen to your voicemail, and if you decide the call is legitimate you can return the call, and perhaps add them to your contacts for future calls.<\/p>\n<p>To block an individual number, go to the recent calls screen and press \u201ci\u201d for a number\u2019s \u201cinformation\u201d.\u00a0 There\u2019s a block option at the bottom of that screen.\u00a0 That will block calls and text messages from that number.<\/p>\n<p>To block someone who has texted, but not called you:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Open their message \u2026 but don\u2019t click on any links.<\/li>\n<li>Tap on their circular \u2018headshot\u2019 at the top of the screen.<\/li>\n<li>On the next screen, tap on \u2018info\u2019.<\/li>\n<li>On the \u2018info\u2019 screen, tap on \u2018Block\u2019.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>That will block texts and calls from that source.<\/p>\n<p>In the Apple App Store, you\u2019ll find several apps that may assist in identifying and blocking scam calls.\u00a0 Use the search term \u2018call block\u2019 and \u2018text block\u2019 to find some options.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Android phones<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Is your phone a Samsung, or another Android brand?\u00a0 Your recent calls list in the phone app may offer an option to block each number.\u00a0 If you\u2019ve had calls or a suspicious text from a number you don\u2019t trust, consider blocking them.<\/p>\n<p>In the Google Play Store, you\u2019ll find several apps that may assist in identifying and blocking scam calls and texts.\u00a0 Use the search term \u201ccall blocker\u201d to find some options.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re using the Google <em>Messages<\/em> app:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Start Messages and open a message from a source that you want to block \u2026 but don\u2019t click on any links.<\/li>\n<li>Tap the three-dot menu at the top right of the screen.<\/li>\n<li>In the drop-down menu, tap &#8220;Details&#8221;.<\/li>\n<li>On the Details page, tap &#8220;Block &amp; report spam&#8221;.<\/li>\n<li>On the pop-up that follows, choose whether you want to report the text messages as spam. If you do, check the box for &#8220;Report spam.&#8221; You can clear the checkbox if you don&#8217;t want to report the messages.<\/li>\n<li>Tap &#8220;OK&#8221; to block all future messages from this sender.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Landlines \u2013 anti-scam handsets<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Some phone companies offer handsets with built-in anti-scam features, like \u2018announce\u2019 mode, where anyone calling your number needs to announce who they are and then press the \u201chash key\u201d.\u00a0 This will filter out the autodiallers that many scam callers use.<\/p>\n<p>Landlines \u2013 network blocking<\/p>\n<p>Phone network operators may be able to block specific problem numbers if you notify their support team.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-15141\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Grey-3D-Illustration-Get-Faster-Internet-5G-Facebook-Ad-1080-\u00d7-628px-2.png\" alt=\"scam safe\" width=\"1080\" height=\"628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Grey-3D-Illustration-Get-Faster-Internet-5G-Facebook-Ad-1080-\u00d7-628px-2.png 1080w, https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Grey-3D-Illustration-Get-Faster-Internet-5G-Facebook-Ad-1080-\u00d7-628px-2-768x447.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/p>\n<h4>Reducing your risks<\/h4>\n<p>You can minimise the risks associated with scam calls and text messages.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Protect your personal information<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a good rule these days that information about you should only be shared with people you trust, and for good reason.\u00a0 Online, on the phone, in opening and responding to text messages or in the \u2018real\u2019 world, be discriminating in what personal information you give to strangers.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Don\u2019t share personal information with unknown or unsolicited callers or texters<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Has your bank or a government department ever asked your date of birth before talking about your affairs with you? If you tell a scam caller or text messager your date of birth, they could answer that security question as if they were you.<\/p>\n<p>Keep all your personal details sensibly secret, especially from callers and text messagers you haven\u2019t reliably identified.\u00a0 That means name, address, date of birth, which bank you\u2019re with, etc, etc, etc. Unless you know who\u2019s asking, and why, treat all personal data as secret.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Contact your financial institution immediately, if you think a scammer has taken your money, or may be able to<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Your bank or credit card issuer may be able to stop a transaction or even reverse it if you act fast. They may be able to temporarily lock a card or account to protect it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Change default PINs and passwords as soon as you get a new phone or other communications device<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Some equipment comes with a preset PIN or passcode (like \u201c1111\u201d) or password (like \u201cAdmin\u201d).\u00a0\u00a0 Change these to personalised ones immediately, or a scammer might guess the PIN, passcode or password very easily.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Choose strong PINS, passcodes and password<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Whether it\u2019s the PIN, passcode or password for your bank account, mobile phone handset, an online store or a health fund, make sure it\u2019s not a \u2018weak\u2019 one that\u2019s easily guessed or worked out by a computer \u2013 like \u20181234\u2019 or \u20180000\u2019 or \u2018password\u2019, etc).<\/p>\n<p>Use your favourite search engine to search for \u2018how to choose a strong password\u201d or \u2018how to choose a secure password\u2019 for a lot of good advice on what makes a secure PIN, passcode or password.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Lock your mobile handset with a secure PIN<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Set your mobile handset to auto-lock after a short period of non-use, and set it to require a strong PIN to unlock it.\u00a0 Even if your handset also offers face or fingerprint recognition, a weak PIN (like the current year) may let a fraud access it with ease.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Make sure your voicemail PIN is secure<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Does your mobile phone service or landline offer a \u2018voice mailbox\u2019 where callers can leave messages?\u00a0 It\u2019s great to be able to check your home messages from another phone when you\u2019re out \u2013 but not so great if a scammer can dial in and listen to them as well.<\/p>\n<p>Voicemail services almost always use a PIN to keep out unauthorised persons, but make sure your PIN is strong and secure.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Disable PABX ports and features that are not used<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If your business uses a \u2018PABX\u2019, it\u2019s a powerful system \u2013 a \u2018mini phone company in your office\u2019.\u00a0 But some of the powerful tools can be used for fraud.<\/p>\n<p>For instance, some systems let you dial in from outside and divert your office number to wherever you are.\u00a0 But there\u2019s always a risk of a bug that lets a scammer take control of your PABX feature and divert your calls to themself.\u00a0 Even if the risk is small, why take it if you never actually use that feature?<\/p>\n<p>If you have a PABX or another sophisticated business phone system, check your user manual or contact your product consultant for information about turning off unnecessary or unused features.\u00a0 A feature that isn\u2019t enabled normally can\u2019t be \u2018hacked\u2019.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Change PINs, passcodes and passwords regularly<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Using the same PINs, passcodes and passwords for a long time is a security risk.\u00a0 For instance, when online stores are hacked, lists of their customer passwords are often sold on the internet.\u00a0 If you changed your password regularly, the password being offered online would be stale before long \u2013 even before a scammer had a chance to use it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Don\u2019t respond to text messages or missed calls from unknown international or Australian numbers, or unknown callers<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The tricks that scammers play with missed calls are explained above.\u00a0 Text messages asking for a call back can be traps in the same way.\u00a0 Don\u2019t call back.\u00a0 If the caller is legitimate, they\u2019ll leave a message.\u00a0 If you think you know who it may have been, contact them by another means (e.g. email, another phone number on an official website, etc) and check if they called or texted.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Block suspicious or unknown international or Australian numbers on mobile handsets and use of blocking services or products, where available, on landlines<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This is also explained above.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Let unknown calls to go to voicemail \/\u00a0 listen to any message left \/ decide if this might be a genuine call<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s explained above how to automatically send calls to voicemail (in some cases). \u00a0If you can\u2019t do that, you can choose to simply not answer unknown calls.\u00a0 Your own voicemail message might encourage callers to leave a detailed message, so you get enough information to make an informed choice about whether or not to call back.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Talk to family or friends<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re not sure about a call you have received, talk about it with someone close to you.\u00a0 Two heads can be wiser than one.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Don\u2019t take computer actions at the request or direction of a caller<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If someone on the phone, or who texts you, whom you don\u2019t positively trust asks you to download or install software, visit a web page, click on a link, fill in a web form or open an email \u2013 <strong>don\u2019t do it<\/strong>.\u00a0 They could easily be trying to trick you into giving them control of your computer or otherwise assisting them to scam you.<\/p>\n<h4><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-15145\" src=\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Grey-3D-Illustration-Get-Faster-Internet-5G-Facebook-Ad-1080-\u00d7-628px-3.png\" alt=\"take action\" width=\"1080\" height=\"628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Grey-3D-Illustration-Get-Faster-Internet-5G-Facebook-Ad-1080-\u00d7-628px-3.png 1080w, https:\/\/www.letsbemates.com.au\/mate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Grey-3D-Illustration-Get-Faster-Internet-5G-Facebook-Ad-1080-\u00d7-628px-3-768x447.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/h4>\n<h4>What to do if you receive scam calls or text messages<\/h4>\n<p>If you do receive a scam call or text message, you should consider taking action.<\/p>\n<p><strong>You can protect yourself<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>by blocking the calling number, as explained above<\/li>\n<li>by contacting police immediately if you have been threatened or had your property stolen<\/li>\n<li>by contacting your financial institution immediately, if you believe your account\/s have been compromised or you have made a payment to the scammer<\/li>\n<li>by immediately changing PINs, passcodes or passwords that might be at risk<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>You can help protect the community<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>by reporting the scam call to ScamWatch \u2013 an initiative of the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (<strong>ACCC<\/strong>) at www.scamwatch.gov.au<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n    <div id=\"cta-nbn-btns\">\r\n        <div class=\"review-content-wrapper cta-nbn-btns d-flex flex-column flex-lg-row\">\r\n            <div class=\"rating d-flex flex-column flex-lg-row align-items-center\">\r\n           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Types of&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":15133,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[26],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Scam Calls and Text Fraud - How to Reduce Your Risk - MATE<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Protect yourself from scam calls and text fraud. 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