Displaying items by tag: phone scams

A timely warning about the dangers of being hit by phone scammers seeking out personal details for potential financial gain has been issued for the start of Privacy Awareness Week.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has warned unsuspecting consumers to beware of scammers impersonating family members using text or WhatsApp messages to try and steal money or financial information.

New South Wales residents were the most financially impacted by scams in July, accounting for 37% of the total amount lost in the month.

Australia’s two largest telcos - Telstra and Optus - along with Aldi’s Medion Mobile, have been warned by the telecommunications industry regulator ACMA for failing to adequately verify people’s identities prior to transferring their mobile phone numbers from other telcos.

Scammers are using telephone calls, SMS messages and emails to take advantage of Australia’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout.

The telecommunications industry regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), is seeking public feedback on its compliance priorities for its 2021–22 work program.