Don’t use the contact details in the communication. If you think the communication may have been legitimate, independently source the contact details for the organisation to contact them. If you receive contact from someone claiming to be from a telecommunications company, a technical support service provider or online marketplace, hang up. It is really important not to let anyone who contacts you out of the blue access your computer. Once the scammer has control of your computer or device, they will ask you to log into applications such as emails, internet banking or PayPal accounts, which will allow the scammer to access your banking and personal information to impersonate you or steal your money. They will tell you to download remote control software such as AnyDesk or TeamViewer. The scammer will pretend to assist you or ask you to assist them to catch the scammer. Sometimes they start with an SMS, an email or a pop up on a screen from a scammer seeking urgent contact to fix a problem. Scams of this nature will often be an unexpected phone call saying you’ve been billed for a purchase you didn’t make, your device has been compromised or your account has been hacked. They create a sense of urgency to make you give them access to your computer via remote access software. Scammers pretend to be from well-known organisations such as Telstra, eBay, NBN Co, Amazon, banks, government organisations, police and computer and IT support organisations. Last year that was only one-third of that, at $2.5 million, so it’s clear that criminals are moving in on home computers. According to Scamwatch, so far this year scammers have stolen more than $7.2 million from Australians by gaining access to home computers.

IDCARE does not ask individuals to donate or pay. IDCARE is a not-for-profit Australian charity that was formed by big companies such as the banks and Qantas to support individuals confronting identity and cyber security concerns.

IDCARE is Australia and New Zealand’s national identity and cyber support service.

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