I get a few of these from various businesses, generally in blocks rather than on a daily basis.
Best giveaway for me...
* Toll Payment outstanding: I don't drive anywhere near a toll rd, in fact, they're approx 2 hundred klms away.
* NAB, ANZ, Commonwealth Banks - something to do with my account, xays I need to go to it immediately : I don't bank with any of these.
* Medicare - issue with a payment : either I go into Medicare myself or the medical service organises the refund directly to the account from which the payment just left.
There are no doubt others whom I can't recall at the moment but I have a chuckle then instantly 'block' the number. But realistically, we all know that doesn't really work as they always use a different/new number next time.
As iterated by others...NEVER ever open a hyperlink (underlined blue words). It takes so very little to be caught out these days.
ALWAYS, ALWAYS, open your connection to Medicare, Tolls, your Bank through the safer method of putting in the URL (the information that finds the sompany you want to connect to) in the search bar at the top of a fresh Web pages.
And while we're at it, protecting ourselves. Never approve money to a company or send money to a realtive verbally over the phone.
These scammers have gotten so good they are now starting to imitate loved ones voices.
If you get text message from a family member or even a friend saying they've had an accident and need money do be careful. If you do NOT recognise the number, it may not be your family member or friend at all but a scammer instead.
Ask them to call you back in a couple of minutes. In the meantime, you ring the caller on the number you have stored in your phone. This way you can hopefully ensure you are speaking to the right person.
If the family member or friend answers and no nothing of the request then rest assured you haven’t made a fatal error with your money.
When the fake caller rings back, tell them you know they are a scammer and you will be reporting them to the police...see how fast they get off the phone then.
Please, it’s important that you are diligent. If you don't know the person or you don't recognise the voice of the caller as sounding like someone that you know, do NOT say yes to giving anyone any money. And never ever give out your banking details or passwords to anyone over the phone or via an email or text request just because they ask for it and 'claim you are owed or owning money.
Cheers...Max
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