Telstra Scam Still Strong.
Police are again warning Telstra clients against an elaborate scam. This scam is well known and like the Microsoft Scam.
How it works.
- An overseas caller rings a targets phone and tells then they have been a victim of a virus and unless they act their Internet will be disconnected to protect the Telstra servers.
- In some cases, they will ask the customer to open event viewer to see errors in the error log and claim these errors are due to the virus and confirms it it that particular device causing the issues.
- The caller asks you for remote access to find the source of the infection and possibly track the fraudster after your money.
- From there, bank transfers are sometimes completed, or the caller asks to you deposit money to accounts to protect it from a scammer.
- In some cases, the computer will crash/restart and be password protected on Windows restarting.
- In some cases, the caller has now hung up, you is pleading with you to go to the bank immediately as there is imminent risk that your account is being emptied due to them being caught by the scammer and that’s why the computer got shut down.
How to protect yourself.
- If you ever get a call from Telstra or Microsoft claiming your computer has a virus, hang up and call your preferred computer technician.
- If you have any doubts about similar calls, ask the caller for a reference number and call the company back using their listed customer support number. (not the number the caller gives you)
- Scammers are trained and will push very hard for you to follow their instructions, they are masters at creating doubt and forcing you to listen to them. Don’t let them push you around and hang up as soon as you possibly can, you won’t hurt their feelings.
- If you think your computer has a virus, and want it checked out, give us a call on 03 5368 2611.
- Make sure you have up to date Internet Security software and a regular system maintenance scheduled.
- If you think you have given details to someone, immediately call you financial institution, followed by a computer repairer.
- Help raise awareness of these types of scams, most people we find that have fallen victim feel embarrassed and don’t want to talk about it with others.
The simple fact remains, that these scams exist and have existed for a while because they do work. If they didn’t work, they wouldn’t keep doing it. Ballan Computers gets at least one call a week from either a victim, or a near victim of these scams. We’re here to help you if you have any queries about viruses or would like a once over or scheduled clean. Give us a call on 03 5368 2611.
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