Scammers play pretend with company impersonations on social media
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In the digital age, where social media platforms have become a cornerstone of daily communication, a new wave of trickery has emerged, targeting unsuspecting Australians, particularly those of us who may not be as tech-savvy.
This deceptive tactic aims to exploit unsuspecting users through a web of trickery, highlighting the need for vigilance and caution in the digital realm.
Scammers are now impersonating reputable companies on social media to gain the trust of potential victims, leading to significant financial losses.
A concerning incident involving Bendigo Bank highlighted the sophistication of these scams.
According to Jason Gordon, a spokesperson from the bank, ‘A recent scam case reported to the Bank detailed an account of a scammer claiming to be from a company the customer was familiar with.’
‘To legitimise the call and their alleged credentials, the scammer had created an authentic-looking LinkedIn profile and directed the victim to it in a successful effort to gain trust.’
This cunning act of deception resulted in the victim being defrauded, a scenario that is becoming all too common.
According to the Australian Government's Scamwatch page, a staggering $15 million was reported lost to remote-access scams in 2023 alone.
These scams involve fraudsters gaining remote access to victims' computers and phones under false pretences, often leading to theft of sensitive information or unauthorised financial transactions.
The easiest way to protect yourself from such scams, as advised by Gordon, is to exercise caution and scepticism.
'If you did not originate the call and you're being asked for information or to enable remote access, hang up,' he recommended.
‘This kind of trickery, combined with other tactics like spoofing—when phone calls appear to come from legitimate numbers and SMS messages appear in the same conversation thread as genuine communications—make it extremely difficult for people to detect genuine communications.’
In 2023, half of all remote access scams reported to Scamwatch involved victims receiving unsolicited calls.
However, scammers are not limited to phone calls. Gordon said that scammers also reach out via text, social media, or email, using ‘every trick in the book’ to access your computer.
According to him, they may pose as representatives from your bank, a utility company, or even a government agency.
‘Once access is granted, scammers may install malicious software, steal sensitive information, or initiate unauthorised transactions, leaving victims and their bank accounts vulnerable,’ Gordon explained.
‘Criminals are getting adept at carefully constructing often complex communications that convincingly mirror those of the brand they are impersonating.’
Gordon emphasised that Bendigo Bank, like many reputable institutions, will never ask for your personal details over unsolicited communications.
As the prevalence of online scams continues to rise, it becomes imperative for individuals to be aware of the various tactics employed by fraudsters.
From impersonating reputable companies on social media to executing elaborate schemes, scammers are relentless in their pursuit of exploiting unsuspecting victims.
In light of these threats, it is crucial for all internet users to remain vigilant and equipped with the knowledge necessary to identify and avoid falling prey to such fraudulent activities.
Have you encountered a similar scheme? Do you have other tips on how to address these types of scams? Let us know your stories and suggestions in the comments below!
This deceptive tactic aims to exploit unsuspecting users through a web of trickery, highlighting the need for vigilance and caution in the digital realm.
Scammers are now impersonating reputable companies on social media to gain the trust of potential victims, leading to significant financial losses.
A concerning incident involving Bendigo Bank highlighted the sophistication of these scams.
A new scam where fraudsters are impersonating companies in social media to gain the victims’ trust was reported to Bendigo Bank. Credits: Shutterstock
According to Jason Gordon, a spokesperson from the bank, ‘A recent scam case reported to the Bank detailed an account of a scammer claiming to be from a company the customer was familiar with.’
‘To legitimise the call and their alleged credentials, the scammer had created an authentic-looking LinkedIn profile and directed the victim to it in a successful effort to gain trust.’
This cunning act of deception resulted in the victim being defrauded, a scenario that is becoming all too common.
According to the Australian Government's Scamwatch page, a staggering $15 million was reported lost to remote-access scams in 2023 alone.
These scams involve fraudsters gaining remote access to victims' computers and phones under false pretences, often leading to theft of sensitive information or unauthorised financial transactions.
The easiest way to protect yourself from such scams, as advised by Gordon, is to exercise caution and scepticism.
'If you did not originate the call and you're being asked for information or to enable remote access, hang up,' he recommended.
‘This kind of trickery, combined with other tactics like spoofing—when phone calls appear to come from legitimate numbers and SMS messages appear in the same conversation thread as genuine communications—make it extremely difficult for people to detect genuine communications.’
In 2023, half of all remote access scams reported to Scamwatch involved victims receiving unsolicited calls.
However, scammers are not limited to phone calls. Gordon said that scammers also reach out via text, social media, or email, using ‘every trick in the book’ to access your computer.
According to him, they may pose as representatives from your bank, a utility company, or even a government agency.
‘Once access is granted, scammers may install malicious software, steal sensitive information, or initiate unauthorised transactions, leaving victims and their bank accounts vulnerable,’ Gordon explained.
‘Criminals are getting adept at carefully constructing often complex communications that convincingly mirror those of the brand they are impersonating.’
Gordon emphasised that Bendigo Bank, like many reputable institutions, will never ask for your personal details over unsolicited communications.
As the prevalence of online scams continues to rise, it becomes imperative for individuals to be aware of the various tactics employed by fraudsters.
From impersonating reputable companies on social media to executing elaborate schemes, scammers are relentless in their pursuit of exploiting unsuspecting victims.
In light of these threats, it is crucial for all internet users to remain vigilant and equipped with the knowledge necessary to identify and avoid falling prey to such fraudulent activities.
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