Beware: New scam targets Optus customers affected by outage
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The recent nationwide Optus outage left millions of Aussies without phone and internet service for over 13 hours.
With widespread disruptions to triple zero emergency services, small businesses, and more, demand for compensation from the telco giant is rapidly growing.
Unfortunately, scammers are also taking advantage of the outage anger by targeting Optus customers with a new phishing scam.
Authorities are warning all Optus users to beware of a text message claiming to offer compensation for the disruption.
This text message pretends to be from Optus, addressing recipients as existing customers.
'Hi there, we apologise for yesterday's network outage,' it reads. 'We are offering compensation for all customers impacted. Apply here.'
A link then invites users to tap through to supposedly claim their share of 'compensation'. However, experts warn this link leads to a phishing site aimed at stealing personal information.
Phishing scams use fraudulent messages to lure victims into revealing sensitive data like passwords, credit card numbers, ID details, and more. The criminals then use this info for identity theft, draining bank accounts, or selling your details to other shady parties.
By posing as Optus and offering compensation, the scammers hope to gather users' personal details en masse for identity fraud and financial theft.
In response to the growing number of cases, Optus addressed the situation and stated: 'We're aware of phishing messages claiming to be from Optus regarding yesterday's outage.'
'To help address this and for your peace of mind, we will not be sending communications (email or SMS) about this outage with links. If you have any concerns, message us anytime in My Optus app–which remains the easiest way to contact Optus, or call us on 133 937.'
Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin has committed to addressing compensation for the millions of affected customers once their services are back up and running.
'We will consider every possibility once services are restored,' she said during an interview.
'Of course, we are looking at what we can do to thank customers for their patience. You can expect something coming out from us in that regard.'
Ms Rosmarin added that Optus is deeply sorry for the outage and is committed to providing excellent customer service, doing everything possible to make amends.
Were you affected, and are you wondering if you could get compensation for the Optus outage? Optus isn't currently providing monetary refunds but is offering something else.
Customers impacted by the outage will receive 200GB of bonus data. From Monday, 13 November, eligible postpaid customers, including small businesses and consumers, can access the extra data. The offer can be activated until the end of the year.
For eligible prepaid customers, unlimited data on weekends is available until the end of the year. To learn more and add the offer to your plans, visit optus.com.au from Monday onwards.
However, not everyone is thrilled with this data compensation.
For example, Rachel from Sydney, who missed a crucial call from a hospital due to the outage, wasn't too pleased, as it cost her a chance to say a final farewell to her mother.
'You can't get those final moments back,' she said, arguing that no compensation from Optus can make up for missing the chance to say goodbye to her mother in those final moments.
'We can never, ever get that time back with our mum.'
Stay alert out there, members! The scammers are ready to take advantage. Have you received any dodgy texts or calls claiming to be from Optus? Let us know in the comments below.
With widespread disruptions to triple zero emergency services, small businesses, and more, demand for compensation from the telco giant is rapidly growing.
Unfortunately, scammers are also taking advantage of the outage anger by targeting Optus customers with a new phishing scam.
Authorities are warning all Optus users to beware of a text message claiming to offer compensation for the disruption.
This text message pretends to be from Optus, addressing recipients as existing customers.
'Hi there, we apologise for yesterday's network outage,' it reads. 'We are offering compensation for all customers impacted. Apply here.'
A link then invites users to tap through to supposedly claim their share of 'compensation'. However, experts warn this link leads to a phishing site aimed at stealing personal information.
Phishing scams use fraudulent messages to lure victims into revealing sensitive data like passwords, credit card numbers, ID details, and more. The criminals then use this info for identity theft, draining bank accounts, or selling your details to other shady parties.
By posing as Optus and offering compensation, the scammers hope to gather users' personal details en masse for identity fraud and financial theft.
In response to the growing number of cases, Optus addressed the situation and stated: 'We're aware of phishing messages claiming to be from Optus regarding yesterday's outage.'
'To help address this and for your peace of mind, we will not be sending communications (email or SMS) about this outage with links. If you have any concerns, message us anytime in My Optus app–which remains the easiest way to contact Optus, or call us on 133 937.'
Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin has committed to addressing compensation for the millions of affected customers once their services are back up and running.
'We will consider every possibility once services are restored,' she said during an interview.
'Of course, we are looking at what we can do to thank customers for their patience. You can expect something coming out from us in that regard.'
Ms Rosmarin added that Optus is deeply sorry for the outage and is committed to providing excellent customer service, doing everything possible to make amends.
Were you affected, and are you wondering if you could get compensation for the Optus outage? Optus isn't currently providing monetary refunds but is offering something else.
Customers impacted by the outage will receive 200GB of bonus data. From Monday, 13 November, eligible postpaid customers, including small businesses and consumers, can access the extra data. The offer can be activated until the end of the year.
For eligible prepaid customers, unlimited data on weekends is available until the end of the year. To learn more and add the offer to your plans, visit optus.com.au from Monday onwards.
However, not everyone is thrilled with this data compensation.
For example, Rachel from Sydney, who missed a crucial call from a hospital due to the outage, wasn't too pleased, as it cost her a chance to say a final farewell to her mother.
'You can't get those final moments back,' she said, arguing that no compensation from Optus can make up for missing the chance to say goodbye to her mother in those final moments.
'We can never, ever get that time back with our mum.'
Key Takeaways
- A text message scam is targeting Optus customers hoping for compensation for a recent 13-hour network outage.
- The National Anti-Scam Centre has warned against clicking a link in the fraudulent text message, advising recipients to ignore and delete it.
- Optus said it will not be sending emails or texts with links included as a measure against scams.
- The outage prevented customers from accessing phone and internet services, and it significantly impacted health and emergency services.
- Optus has not yet offered monetary compensation after the outage but has announced that impacted customers can receive an extra 200GB of bonus data.
Stay alert out there, members! The scammers are ready to take advantage. Have you received any dodgy texts or calls claiming to be from Optus? Let us know in the comments below.