Protect your pocket: Telco reveals scam that's duping people in just seconds!
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In today's digital age, Australians are finding themselves at an increased risk of falling victim to sophisticated scams, with some losing their hard-earned money in mere seconds.
A top cybercrime official has issued a stark warning that should have us all on high alert.
Scammers employ innovative techniques that outpace traditional security measures, targeting individuals when they least expect it. Authorities urge everyone to exercise caution and remain vigilant in the face of these evolving online threats.
The speed at which these scams operate is alarming. According to Lee Barney, TPG's general technology security manager, scammers create a sense of urgency that leads potential victims to act hastily.
'People fall for phishing scams within 10 seconds of arriving in the mailbox. I have seen people fall for a phisher within a second,' Barney explained.
‘If I was to give advice to anyone, slow down, question everything, if you’re doing anything electronic, fully engage with it.’
In our fast-paced world, where multitasking has become the norm, fully engaging with any electronic transaction is crucial.
Scammers prey on our distracted state of mind, hoping we'll miss the red flags.
Kris Wilson, Australian Federal Police team leader for cybercrime investigations, pointed out that it's tough to recover once money is sent to a scammer.
He described investing scams as a two-step process, starting with an initial lure.
Victims' identification details are collected and sold, and then they're enticed by a fake investment scheme through a professional-level sales pitch.
These scammers are cunning, using professionally designed websites to show false financial gains, convincing victims to invest more.
'The website will show false gains, and they will be called again for a new investment.
But this time, the person thinks they are doing well, and then it will be a big hit, and the money will be gone within a matter of minutes,' Wilson said.
Australia's position as a prime target for scammers is concerning.
On average, Australians are losing $100 per head, more than double the amount lost per person in the United States and almost triple that of the UK.
Wilson attributed this to Australia's wealth and the superannuation scheme.
Scammers exploit these factors, especially as people seek investment opportunities to boost their retirement funds amid cost-of-living spikes.
'We see it on Friday night, that is when we see people try to compromise our network,' Barney said.
'It works effectively because the banks are not open at weekends, so to get someone to block or check an account is more difficult.' Wilson echoed.
This tactic is not only cunning but also effective, leaving many Australians vulnerable to financial loss.
'The scam emails and phone calls also create a sense of urgency to try and pressure you into doing something quickly,' the ACSC explained.
'Often, this will include threats that if you do not act now, something terrible will happen.'
The ASD assures the public that the government will never ask for personal details such as passwords or security question answers via email, nor will it send links to antivirus software.
They encourage anyone who receives a suspicious call to hang up and confirm the caller's identity by contacting the official number, 1300 CYBER1.
'We will never threaten or pressure you to stay on the line,' the statement from ASD wrote.
In other news, NAB has identified the top five scams targeting Australians in 2025.
This includes methods like advanced AI technology, which now enables scammers to create deepfakes and manipulate images, as well as techniques that can extend to sextortion. You can read more about it here.
Have you or someone you know encountered a scam recently? Share your experiences in the comments below to help others stay safe.
A top cybercrime official has issued a stark warning that should have us all on high alert.
Scammers employ innovative techniques that outpace traditional security measures, targeting individuals when they least expect it. Authorities urge everyone to exercise caution and remain vigilant in the face of these evolving online threats.
The speed at which these scams operate is alarming. According to Lee Barney, TPG's general technology security manager, scammers create a sense of urgency that leads potential victims to act hastily.
'People fall for phishing scams within 10 seconds of arriving in the mailbox. I have seen people fall for a phisher within a second,' Barney explained.
Australians are being scammed in seconds by sophisticated schemes that create urgency and panic. Credit: Depositphotos
‘If I was to give advice to anyone, slow down, question everything, if you’re doing anything electronic, fully engage with it.’
In our fast-paced world, where multitasking has become the norm, fully engaging with any electronic transaction is crucial.
Scammers prey on our distracted state of mind, hoping we'll miss the red flags.
Kris Wilson, Australian Federal Police team leader for cybercrime investigations, pointed out that it's tough to recover once money is sent to a scammer.
He described investing scams as a two-step process, starting with an initial lure.
Victims' identification details are collected and sold, and then they're enticed by a fake investment scheme through a professional-level sales pitch.
These scammers are cunning, using professionally designed websites to show false financial gains, convincing victims to invest more.
'The website will show false gains, and they will be called again for a new investment.
But this time, the person thinks they are doing well, and then it will be a big hit, and the money will be gone within a matter of minutes,' Wilson said.
Australia's position as a prime target for scammers is concerning.
On average, Australians are losing $100 per head, more than double the amount lost per person in the United States and almost triple that of the UK.
Wilson attributed this to Australia's wealth and the superannuation scheme.
Scammers exploit these factors, especially as people seek investment opportunities to boost their retirement funds amid cost-of-living spikes.
'We see it on Friday night, that is when we see people try to compromise our network,' Barney said.
'It works effectively because the banks are not open at weekends, so to get someone to block or check an account is more difficult.' Wilson echoed.
This tactic is not only cunning but also effective, leaving many Australians vulnerable to financial loss.
The urgency of this issue was underscored by a recent alert from The Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), warning of scammers impersonating the Australian Cyber Security Centre. 'The scam emails and phone calls also create a sense of urgency to try and pressure you into doing something quickly,' the ACSC explained.
'Often, this will include threats that if you do not act now, something terrible will happen.'
The ASD assures the public that the government will never ask for personal details such as passwords or security question answers via email, nor will it send links to antivirus software.
They encourage anyone who receives a suspicious call to hang up and confirm the caller's identity by contacting the official number, 1300 CYBER1.
'We will never threaten or pressure you to stay on the line,' the statement from ASD wrote.
In other news, NAB has identified the top five scams targeting Australians in 2025.
This includes methods like advanced AI technology, which now enables scammers to create deepfakes and manipulate images, as well as techniques that can extend to sextortion. You can read more about it here.
