NSW Police Force SCC Financial Crimes Squad

Beware - if someone calls you offering a discount of 20%-45% off your mobile phone bill for the next six months - it's a scam.

Police are aware of a scam currently circulating where:
1. a person calls someone on their mobile phone (including Vodafone and Telstra customers) claiming to be from the phone provider offering a discount to a phone bill
2. the caller then follows up with an SMS claiming to 'prove' they are legitimate
3. the customer, thinking the caller is legitimate, is then 'scammed' into providing identification information and the PIN number to their mobile phone
4. the scammer then uses the information from the caller and gains unauthorised access to the customers online mobile phone account and fraudulently purchases mobile phones
5. the customer is then liable for the costs of the fraudulently purchased mobile phones.

Please, if you receive a call that sounds familiar to this, hang up and don't provide any personal information.

If you think you may have been scammed, report online at - https://www.cyber.gov.au/report

🚨 SCAM ALERT 🚨

We have just been notified that a new scam entails victims being contacted by a person claiming to be from ‘Service NSW’ and are told that their tax file number was used for money laundering.

‘Service NSW’ then transfers the victim to ‘Police’ who advised them to change their tax file number.

The victim then receives several calls from ‘Crime Stoppers’ displaying the 1800 333 000 number which appears to have been spoofed.

Do NOT engage with these scammers. This is not protocol. Be aware and be safe.

Please share!

NSW Police Force
Service NSW

Beware of installing fake or malicious apps onto your mobile devices! Cybercriminals use fake apps to try and steal your personal and financial data or commit other cybercrimes.

To stay safe you need to:

▪️stick to official app stores and avoid installing apps from links in emails, social media and websites that look suspicious.
▪️review and manage permissions for each app you download.
▪️uninstall apps when you no longer need them.

For more tips:
https://www.staysmartonline.gov.au/protect-yourself/protect-your-stuff/online-apps

Using free wireless internet can be tempting; it can also put your personal information at risk. Free Wi-Fi is not secure and can expose your browsing activity to cybercriminals.

Use trusted connections when working from home, such as your home internet or mobile internet service from your provider.

For more tips to protect your internet connection:
https://www.cyber.gov.au/advice/covid-19-cyber-security-tips-when-working-home

Do you know what to look out for when a Scam Email or Malware Email comes your way?

We do, and sometimes they are so good, we almost get caught out too. Here is an actual email we almost clicked on – until we looked further.

Be aware. Check out the signs.

The ACSC’s Easy Steps Guide helps Australians protect themselves from cybercriminals.

Watch our video as it steps you through the checklist:
https://www.cyber.gov.au/advice/EasyStepsGuide

Offshore gambling: Even if you win, you might lose.
We regularly receive complaints about illegal gambling services. Things like:
• not being able to access funds
• accounts closing after you win
• only being given a small portion of winnings
Find out more about illegal gambling services and how to report them:
https://www.acma.gov.au/protect-yourself-illegal-gambling-operators

Multi-factor authentication is when you need to provide two or more things - such as your password and a code sent to your phone – before you can access your account.

It’s one of the most effective controls you can implement to prevent cybercriminals from gaining access to your device, accounts and sensitive information.

Read the ACSC’s step-by-step guides on how to turn on multi-factor authentication for Apple ID, Facebook, Gmail and Twitter: https://www.cyber.gov.au/advice/covid-19-protecting-your-small-business

SCAM ALERT! Beware of this phishing scam pretending to be from the Australian Government Department of Health claiming that you must submit to COVID-19 testing. If you receive it – don’t click on any links or open any attachments. Delete immediately. Info via Scamwatch

Backing up your data regularly is quick and easy to do and is one of the most effective ways to protect against document loss and malware infections.

Many backup services offer an option to automatically schedule backups, so it’s easy to perform them daily or weekly.

For more tips: https://www.cyber.gov.au/advice/covid-19-protecting-your-small-business

If you’re upgrading your device or opting out of online accounts, make sure you wipe your personal information from old devices and delete accounts you no longer use.

This Privacy Awareness Week , the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner have provided some easy tips:
https://www.oaic.gov.au/paw