In a recent alert, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) highlighted a significant rise in remote access scams, resulting in substantial financial losses. Australians lost $15.5 million to these scams in 2023, with an alarming 52% spike in reported losses in the first quarter of 2024, compared to the previous quarter.
What is a Remote Access Scam?
Scammers often pose as representatives from reputable companies, convincing victims to download screen-sharing software such as AnyDesk, Zoho or Teamviewer.
This grants them access to personal and financial information where they can proceed to make unauthorised transactions. The ACCC advises against downloading unfamiliar software or sharing banking details over the phone. Instead, individuals should verify contacts independently and act swiftly if they notice suspicious activity.
The ACCC's recommendations include:
- Verification: Always verify the identity of the caller independently before taking any action.
- Software Caution: Do not download software or grant remote access unless you are certain of the caller's legitimacy.
- Protect Personal Information: Never share banking or personal details over the phone unless you are sure of the caller's authenticity.
- Quick Response: If you suspect a scam, hang up immediately, contact your bank and report the incident to Scamwatch.
These measures can help protect against significant financial losses and personal security breaches.
To view the full article, visit the ACCC website.
At MOVE Bank, we are committed to taking all reasonable steps to ensure that we protect our members from fraud and scams. For useful tips and resources on how you can stay safe from scams and fraud, visit movebank.com.au/scaminfo
Source: https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/watch-out-for-scammers-claiming-to-fix-technical-issues-as-losses-spike
