Scammers are Posing as Scam-Fighters

Think you're safe from scams because you're aware of them? Think again! Scammers are getting craftier, preying on our wariness with a new tactic: posing as scam-fighting organisations.

How?

• Authority Exploitation: Scammers pretend to be from official bodies like the National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC) to gain your trust. They might use spoofing to make their calls appear legitimate.
• Fear and Urgency: They play on your fear of being scammed by claiming suspicious activity on your accounts or threatening legal action. This pressure makes you act impulsively, without verifying the information.

Examples of Fake Help "Offers":

• Fake NASC Agents: Scammers impersonate NASC employees, claiming your phone number is linked to a scam in China. They offer to "clear your record" but pressure you for personal details to steal your money. Remember, the real NASC will never ask for your financial information or one-time passcodes.
• Fake Money Recovery Services: After falling victim to a scam, you might be contacted by a company promising to get your money back. Beware! These "recovery services" are often another scam. They'll charge upfront fees or a percentage of your lost funds, but won't deliver.

Just How do Scammers Make Their Lies Believable??

• Spoofing: They can make calls or texts appear to come from trusted sources like banks or government agencies.
• Sender ID Manipulation: They can change their email aliases to mimic trusted organisations.
• Deceptive Ads: They might even purchase online ads to appear legitimate.

Don't Be Fooled!...
Verify Caller ID and Message Source: Don't trust caller ID alone. Always check the legitimacy of callers and messages before responding. If unsure, hang up or delete the message.

• Confirm Identities: If someone claims to be from a trusted source, verify their identity by contacting the organisation directly through their official channels.
• Beware of Upfront Fees: Legitimate scam investigations rarely recover lost funds,  - and upfront fees for such services are a red flag.
• Report Scams: Report all scams to the National Anti-Scam Centre, regardless of whether you lost money. This helps authorities track down scammers.

Stay vigilant! By following these tips, you can protect yourself from falling victim to these cunning new scams. Check out NASC on google… https://www.accc.gov.au/national-anti-scam-centre