Blocking scams from reaching Aussies is a huge challenge, but Telstra's newly launched 'Snitch on Scammers' cyber security line has been effectively countering this issue since its launch in May.

The great thing about this SMS service is that it allows ordinary people to easily report suspicious text messages to experts, enabling them to take appropriate action.

However, it appears that the line has been experiencing an unexpected influx of texts—and not all of them are genuine scam reports.

Telstra's Cyber Security Expert, Darren Pauli, revealed that out of the 50,000 reports received so far, many had nothing to do with scams.

A matching pair of yellow tractors, surveillance photos of cows in a paddock, and countless food deliveries on doorsteps were among the incorrect reports. While these unexpected texts don't seem to be malicious, they are consuming valuable time that could be better spent curbing the latest scams in circulation.

Just recently, Telstra announced a new reporting number to help combat SMS scams on their network, and they asked for the public's help with it to snitch on scammers. Credit: Shutterstock.

How do I report a scam message to Telstra?

All you need to do is forward the suspicious message to 7226 (SCAM). If you're unsure about how to 'forward' a message, follow these step-by-step instructions. Keep in mind that the steps may vary slightly depending on whether you're using an iPhone or an Android device.

For iPhone users:

1. Press and hold the message bubble you wish to forward (avoid clicking any links within the message).
2. Tap on 'More'.
3. Select additional bubbles if you're forwarding two or more text messages.
4. Tap 'Forward' and type in 7226.
5. Press 'Send'.

​

If you have an Android device with the default Messages app:

1. Tap and hold the message (avoid clicking any links).
2. Tap the three-dot menu button.
3. Choose 'Forward'.
4. Type or select 7226 and hit 'Send SMS'.

​

It's important to note that you won't receive a response after reporting the message. However, rest assured that Telstra has received your report, and this action will help prevent the same scam from affecting others.

​

Text messaging remains the most common way for scams to reach Aussies, and utilising the text line helps experts identify and block scams effectively when used properly. So, if you ever need to report an SMS scam, ensure that the information is accurate.

The company also advises sending only actual scams and not merely unwanted messages. While marketing and sales messages might be annoying, the cyber security system isn't designed to intercept them. Sending unnecessary messages might cause a delay in filtering out genuine scams.

Your best approach to stopping unwanted messages is to unsubscribe or block these numbers on your phone.

Lastly, Pauli emphasises the importance of promptly reporting a scam. Failing to do so could allow the scam to operate for days or even weeks, resulting in more people falling victim each day. This could lead to personal and financial losses that are difficult to recover.

'Don't delay in reporting them,' Pauli advises.

Key Takeaways

• A scam text reporting line set up by Telstra has received many incorrect reports.
• Reports to the 'Snitch on Scammers' line included images of tractors, cows, and food deliveries.
• The line established in May has received about 50,000 texts, but many were not genuine scams.
• Telstra is asking users to forward scam messages rather than screenshots, as the latter are untraceable.

We encourage all members to be vigilant and take immediate action to report any kind of suspicious text message you receive. If you're ever unsure whether you should report a particular message, check with your service provider—they will be happy to provide you with accurate and up-to-date advice.

You can also visit Scamwatch on the ACCC website and SDC’s very own Scam Watch forum for more tips on how to stay safe online.

We hope you find this article helpful! What are your thoughts? Have you come across any SMS scams recently? Did you report them? Let us know in the comments below!

 

[Jen77au]

Blocking scams from reaching Aussies is a huge challenge, but Telstra's newly launched 'Snitch on Scammers' cyber security line has been effectively countering this issue since its launch in May.

The great thing about this SMS service is that it allows ordinary people to easily report suspicious text messages to experts, enabling them to take appropriate action.

However, it appears that the line has been experiencing an unexpected influx of texts—and not all of them are genuine scam reports.

Telstra's Cyber Security Expert, Darren Pauli, revealed that out of the 50,000 reports received so far, many had nothing to do with scams.

A matching pair of yellow tractors, surveillance photos of cows in a paddock, and countless food deliveries on doorsteps were among the incorrect reports. While these unexpected texts don't seem to be malicious, they are consuming valuable time that could be better spent curbing the latest scams in circulation.

View attachment 28731

Just recently, Telstra announced a new reporting number to help combat SMS scams on their network, and they asked for the public's help with it to snitch on scammers. Credit: Shutterstock.

How do I report a scam message to Telstra?

All you need to do is forward the suspicious message to 7226 (SCAM). If you're unsure about how to 'forward' a message, follow these step-by-step instructions. Keep in mind that the steps may vary slightly depending on whether you're using an iPhone or an Android device.

For iPhone users:

1. Press and hold the message bubble you wish to forward (avoid clicking any links within the message).
2. Tap on 'More'.
3. Select additional bubbles if you're forwarding two or more text messages.
4. Tap 'Forward' and type in 7226.
5. Press 'Send'.

​

If you have an Android device with the default Messages app:

1. Tap and hold the message (avoid clicking any links).
2. Tap the three-dot menu button.
3. Choose 'Forward'.
4. Type or select 7226 and hit 'Send SMS'.

​

It's important to note that you won't receive a response after reporting the message. However, rest assured that Telstra has received your report, and this action will help prevent the same scam from affecting others.

View attachment 28737​

Text messaging remains the most common way for scams to reach Aussies, and utilising the text line helps experts identify and block scams effectively when used properly. So, if you ever need to report an SMS scam, ensure that the information is accurate.

The company also advises sending only actual scams and not merely unwanted messages. While marketing and sales messages might be annoying, the cyber security system isn't designed to intercept them. Sending unnecessary messages might cause a delay in filtering out genuine scams.

Your best approach to stopping unwanted messages is to unsubscribe or block these numbers on your phone.

Lastly, Pauli emphasises the importance of promptly reporting a scam. Failing to do so could allow the scam to operate for days or even weeks, resulting in more people falling victim each day. This could lead to personal and financial losses that are difficult to recover.

'Don't delay in reporting them,' Pauli advises.

Key Takeaways

• A scam text reporting line set up by Telstra has received many incorrect reports.
• Reports to the 'Snitch on Scammers' line included images of tractors, cows, and food deliveries.
• The line established in May has received about 50,000 texts, but many were not genuine scams.
• Telstra is asking users to forward scam messages rather than screenshots, as the latter are untraceable.

We encourage all members to be vigilant and take immediate action to report any kind of suspicious text message you receive. If you're ever unsure whether you should report a particular message, check with your service provider—they will be happy to provide you with accurate and up-to-date advice.

You can also visit Scamwatch on the ACCC website and SDC’s very own Scam Watch forum for more tips on how to stay safe online.

We hope you find this article helpful! What are your thoughts? Have you come across any SMS scams recently? Did you report them? Let us know in the comments below!

Thanks for informing us about this! I'm a Telstra customer and was unaware of it!

 

[Ezzy]

I too am a Telstra customer & unaware of this link. The above info is very handy thankyou.

Advice is to block this number as l do. As a member stated here recently & which l too have noticed, the same scam appears to come through on a phone # with one or two new digits.

 

[Jen77au]

I too am a Telstra customer & unaware of this link. The above info is very handy thankyou.

Advice is to block this number as l do. As a member stated here recently & which l too have noticed, the same scam appears to come through on a phone # with one or two new digits.

Wow! I missed the post about the new numbers, so thank you for repeating that!