Don't get trapped! Tens of thousands fall victim to recent toll road scam texts
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Scams are nothing new, and we here at the SDC have seen our fair share. But nowadays, with the ever-evolving technology of our modern world, these tricksters are continually finding new ways to trap unsuspecting victims.
Today, we're spotlighting a recent scam that has caused quite a stir amongst Australian road users – the dreaded toll road scam text.
In just five weeks, over 105,000 toll road scam texts have been reported to Australia’s national toll road operator, Transurban, the operator of Linkt. That's a staggering amount, but what's even more concerning is that research carried out by Transurban suggests that over 80 per cent of scam incidents were never reported.
These scams often come in the form of SMS phishing messages, posing as reputable toll road brands in a bid to steal valuable personal data such as account numbers, passwords, and credit card information.
But the battle against these scammers is far from hopeless! Transurban has taken an unusual approach in fighting back against these text message scams. They've launched an initiative that incentivises road users to report incidents, as their research found only nine per cent of people would report suspicious texts to Linkt. Since implementing this strategy, scam reports have quadrupled!
To encourage this reporting, Australians can now submit details of toll road scams online or via the Linkt app for a chance to win an electric car or one of many gift cards. In the first five weeks of the campaign, an average of 21,000 scams were reported per week – four times the number of reports the company typically receives.
Transurban's group executive customer and technology, Simon Moorfield, shared his thoughts on the initiative's success: 'This really demonstrates the scale of the scam problem across Australia. We hope the opportunity to win a car will encourage more people to take a few minutes out of their day to join the fight against SMS scams.' The competition, which ends on June 4, is open to everyone who receives a toll road scam message, regardless of whether or not they are Linkt customers.
Don't let yourself be the next target! Maintain your vigilance and promptly report any suspicious activity. In the fight against these cunning scammers, we can work together to support Australia's efforts, allowing our fellow road users to journey with tranquillity.
To our valued members, how do you stay safe and informed online? Share your tips and experiences—we're here to learn from each other and stay protected!
Today, we're spotlighting a recent scam that has caused quite a stir amongst Australian road users – the dreaded toll road scam text.
Unsuspecting victims constantly fall prey to scammers who persistently devise novel methods to ensnare them. Image by mohamed_hassan from pixabay
In just five weeks, over 105,000 toll road scam texts have been reported to Australia’s national toll road operator, Transurban, the operator of Linkt. That's a staggering amount, but what's even more concerning is that research carried out by Transurban suggests that over 80 per cent of scam incidents were never reported.
These scams often come in the form of SMS phishing messages, posing as reputable toll road brands in a bid to steal valuable personal data such as account numbers, passwords, and credit card information.
But the battle against these scammers is far from hopeless! Transurban has taken an unusual approach in fighting back against these text message scams. They've launched an initiative that incentivises road users to report incidents, as their research found only nine per cent of people would report suspicious texts to Linkt. Since implementing this strategy, scam reports have quadrupled!
Get A Chance To Win An Electric Car
By reporting scams, you not only contribute to safeguarding others but also get a chance to win an exciting prize—a fully electric Hyundai IONIQ 5 Dynamiq! Source: Motortrend
To encourage this reporting, Australians can now submit details of toll road scams online or via the Linkt app for a chance to win an electric car or one of many gift cards. In the first five weeks of the campaign, an average of 21,000 scams were reported per week – four times the number of reports the company typically receives.
Transurban's group executive customer and technology, Simon Moorfield, shared his thoughts on the initiative's success: 'This really demonstrates the scale of the scam problem across Australia. We hope the opportunity to win a car will encourage more people to take a few minutes out of their day to join the fight against SMS scams.' The competition, which ends on June 4, is open to everyone who receives a toll road scam message, regardless of whether or not they are Linkt customers.
How Can You Protect Yourself?
We at the SDC value your security and well-being, which is why we've compiled some invaluable online safety tips specifically tailored to keep our seniors safe from these tricky con artists.- Choose strong passwords: Resist the urge to use the same password for multiple accounts and avoid using easily identifiable personal information. Mix it up with a blend of capital letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols – after all, a strong password is a sturdy shield against online opportunists!
- Never give out your information via text: Moorfield reminded road toll users that companies would never ask for payment details via text messages.
- Beware of odd communication: Steer clear of unsolicited emails, messages, or phone calls requesting sensitive information. Official companies will never ask you to share personal details through these channels.
- Update and protect your devices: Keep your devices in tip-top shape by updating software regularly to ensure the latest security patches and antivirus protection are installed.
- Trust your instincts: As the old saying goes, ‘If it looks too good to be true, it usually is.’ If you come across a deal, prize, or job offer that seems implausibly generous, take a step back and mull it over before diving in.
To our valued members, how do you stay safe and informed online? Share your tips and experiences—we're here to learn from each other and stay protected!
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