Beware of the latest text message scam impersonating 'Qantas'
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It seems like every day, we stumble upon new warnings about scams targeting Aussies. We know how important it is to stay vigilant and be mindful of these threats, and we'd like to keep you informed so you don't fall for them, either.
This time, a new scam doing the rounds is pretending to be from the airline Qantas. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) Scamwatch has raised the alarm, urging anyone who receives a suspicious text claiming to be from Qantas to think twice before taking action.
The misleading text message informs the recipient that a new flight has been booked in their name, and if they did not make the booking, they should call the provided number immediately.
However, the number does not connect to Qantas customer support but instead to a ruthless scammer waiting to relieve you of your hard-earned cash.
Scamwatch has issued a warning about these fraudulent texts, stating, 'Beware of text messages saying you have bought a ticket or made a purchase and asking you to click a link or call a number if it wasn't you. This is a scam. Don't call the number.'
If you or someone you know receives this type of message, it is crucial not to respond or call the number provided. Instead, report the scam to the authorities by getting in touch with Scamwatch.
Fortunately, the Australian government is also stepping up its efforts to combat such scams. The recent federal budget has allocated $10 million over four years to establish a new SMS Sender ID Registry. This system will help block scammers from impersonating major brands like Qantas or government agencies, including myGov, Linkt, Australia Post, and your bank.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland, in an interview with Weekend Today, provided a detailed explanation of how the registry would function.
'To give a practical example like Australia Post, a lot of people might get texts from Australia Post and it says it is from Australia Post and says a delivery is coming, will you be home, a delivery is on its way,' she said.
'What scammers are currently able to do is copy that header using a different originating number and slip it into that legitimate stream so it is totally insidious, but it looks completely legitimate.’
'So ... the registry will actually have a list of numbers that Australia Post says are their legitimate numbers. If a scammer tries to use a different number, the telco will block that from getting on to someone's device.'
Rowland acknowledged that there is no foolproof solution to eradicate scammers completely. However, she emphasised the positive impact of recent measures like the registry, which have already resulted in the blocking of 90 million scam texts and 500 million scam calls since July last year.
It's sobering to think that almost half of Australia’s population received a fraudulent SMS message in 2022 alone, with Australians collectively losing an estimated whopping $3.1 billion to scams last year.
According to ACCC data, text messages were the number one method scammers used to engage with potential victims, accounting for one in three scam reports. This is more than the 29 per cent of scam contact which occurred through phone calls.
To keep yourself and your loved ones protected from scams, always think twice before responding to unexpected messages or phone calls requesting personal information or actions. When in doubt, independently verify the authenticity of the communication by contacting the company or agency through official channels or visiting their website.
We urge all our SDC members to be vigilant and stay safe from these unscrupulous scammers. Remember, knowledge is power, and staying informed is the best defence against becoming their next victim.
If you happen to come across a scam, feel free to share it on our Scam Watch forum. By doing so, you'll not only alert fellow members but also contribute to maintaining a secure community for everyone. Stay safe always!
This time, a new scam doing the rounds is pretending to be from the airline Qantas. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) Scamwatch has raised the alarm, urging anyone who receives a suspicious text claiming to be from Qantas to think twice before taking action.
The misleading text message informs the recipient that a new flight has been booked in their name, and if they did not make the booking, they should call the provided number immediately.
However, the number does not connect to Qantas customer support but instead to a ruthless scammer waiting to relieve you of your hard-earned cash.
A new scam text is doing the rounds, this time impersonating Qantas. Credit: Twitter/ACCC Scamwatch.
Scamwatch has issued a warning about these fraudulent texts, stating, 'Beware of text messages saying you have bought a ticket or made a purchase and asking you to click a link or call a number if it wasn't you. This is a scam. Don't call the number.'
If you or someone you know receives this type of message, it is crucial not to respond or call the number provided. Instead, report the scam to the authorities by getting in touch with Scamwatch.
Fortunately, the Australian government is also stepping up its efforts to combat such scams. The recent federal budget has allocated $10 million over four years to establish a new SMS Sender ID Registry. This system will help block scammers from impersonating major brands like Qantas or government agencies, including myGov, Linkt, Australia Post, and your bank.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland, in an interview with Weekend Today, provided a detailed explanation of how the registry would function.
'To give a practical example like Australia Post, a lot of people might get texts from Australia Post and it says it is from Australia Post and says a delivery is coming, will you be home, a delivery is on its way,' she said.
'What scammers are currently able to do is copy that header using a different originating number and slip it into that legitimate stream so it is totally insidious, but it looks completely legitimate.’
'So ... the registry will actually have a list of numbers that Australia Post says are their legitimate numbers. If a scammer tries to use a different number, the telco will block that from getting on to someone's device.'
Rowland acknowledged that there is no foolproof solution to eradicate scammers completely. However, she emphasised the positive impact of recent measures like the registry, which have already resulted in the blocking of 90 million scam texts and 500 million scam calls since July last year.
It's sobering to think that almost half of Australia’s population received a fraudulent SMS message in 2022 alone, with Australians collectively losing an estimated whopping $3.1 billion to scams last year.
According to ACCC data, text messages were the number one method scammers used to engage with potential victims, accounting for one in three scam reports. This is more than the 29 per cent of scam contact which occurred through phone calls.
To keep yourself and your loved ones protected from scams, always think twice before responding to unexpected messages or phone calls requesting personal information or actions. When in doubt, independently verify the authenticity of the communication by contacting the company or agency through official channels or visiting their website.
We urge all our SDC members to be vigilant and stay safe from these unscrupulous scammers. Remember, knowledge is power, and staying informed is the best defence against becoming their next victim.
If you happen to come across a scam, feel free to share it on our Scam Watch forum. By doing so, you'll not only alert fellow members but also contribute to maintaining a secure community for everyone. Stay safe always!
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