Community member question: I got a strange email from a company last week, asking me to update my account details, and to click on a link for more information, is this what phishing is?
Answer: Yes, phishing scams try to trick you into giving out your personal details and financial information.
Scammers may contact you via telephone, mobile phone, text message, email, or your social media profile.
Scammers attempt to convince you that they from a legitimate business such as a bank, phone company, or other essential service. Scammers convince you to hand over your details by using reasons such as updating customer records, a customer survey, or there is a problem with your customer account which needs to be resolved.
Phishing scams are designed to look real, emails often contain a logo, and will ask you to click on a fake website that mirrors the genuine web address. Scammers will use your identity and personal information to carry out fraud offences, such as using your
What to look out for:
- Emails, texts or phone calls claiming to be from a bank or similar organisation, asking you to provide your personal details.
- The email or caller does not address you by your proper name,
- Contains grammatical or spelling errors.
- The website address or email address is unusual.
Tips on how to stay safe:
- Do not click on any links, or open attachments from emails
- Don’t provide your personal details, credit card information or bank details online or over the phone.
- For more information on phishing scams go to https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams/attempts-to-gain-your-personal-information/phishing