Internet Fraud, current scams to watch out for

[flower]

In Reply To: Duster's post @ Oct 2 2012, 01:52 PM

Duster--I got a strange call from an Indian gentleman muttering something unintelligible about helping me with my Telstra home phone account which was I thought somewhat odd since I don't have a Telstra home phone account so told him to .... off.

Remember arty think it was saying that big organisations simply don't ring/email you out of the blue so its a toss up as to who one tells to ....off!

[arty]

I've seen lots of fake emails from financial institutions, the Tax Office, even telcos.
This is a new one and warrants a reminder IMHO. Looks authentic enough, but you can bet your bottom Dollar it's a fraud. I know because I don't have a NAB account.

Dear Member,

We have recently noticed many attacks to our database and this
requires us to rebuild our system integrity. We regularly screen our
members account information to reduce FRAUD & ID Theft.

This security measure is intended to help protect our NAB(National Australia Bank) members
and their accounts. We are sorry for any inconvenience. However, failure in
reviewing and updating your account information will result in your account suspension.
You are requested to visit our website and fill in the required information.


To continue click here, and follow the steps.


Please do not reply to this message. For any inquiries, contact Member Services.

Copyright © 2013 NAB Banking Corporation ABN 33 007 457 141 AFSL and Australian credit licence 233714.. All rights reserved.

I have a similar one forwarded to NAB's hoax line. Seems the crims won't give up.

[Financial Chatte...]

I also suspect that the email supposedly from Woolworths asking us to participate in a survey is a phishing exercise

[arty]

In Reply To: Duster's post @ Oct 2 2012, 01:52 PM

The Telstra email doesn't bother me - anything from Telstra goes straight into the bin because I don't have an account with Telstra.

But similar emails are being circulated from (spoofed) look-alikes of ebay, paypal, and several others.
They seem to be mailed in batches to a variety of emaill addresses. On some days, I receive the same "advice" sent to two or three different addresses - preferably to ones that I give out to news services or have made up for entering a competition.

So, if an email arrives from "ebay" to anywhere but the ebay account, I don't even open it.

[Duster]

WARNING: An email scam is doing the rounds at present. The email purports to come from Telstra, with the subject line reading, "Telstra Online – Your Account Balance".

The body of the email reads, "PLEASE CHECK YOUR ACCOUNT BALANCE IN ATTACHED FILE".

Attached is a ZIP file which is a compressed file containing almost any type of file the sender wishes to place in it.

In this case it's almost certainly a virus.

DO NOT open the file; DELETE IT IMMEDIATELY (and then delete it from your Recycle Bin to be safe).

[PeterH]

In Reply To: arty's post @ Oct 29 2011, 09:40 PM

I see your point Arty, but perhaps you are not aware that plenty of internet vendors who send goods by parcel post, courier or a combination of post and courier, often via the Netherlands for some odd reason, although it must have something to do with cost, do have the recipient's email address. Who is to know how they might display it or make it known to a carrier.

[Gum Nut]

In Reply To: arty's post @ Oct 29 2011, 09:40 PM

hi Arty et al,

Sometimes those emails may seem quite authentic and difficult to identify as fraud. In those situations, I have called relevant service centre directly, be it, bank,university or whatever institution. In ALL instances, the emails re acct details were FRAUDULENT. As a routine, I now forward the email enquiry to relevant service centre - after making direct contact with human - for verification. This has saved both money and anxiety.

Also, frequently scan hard disk for any form of unwanted addition to your software - generally, if you did not put it there then you are probably better off with its removal.

GN

[arty]

In Reply To: PeterH's post @ Oct 29 2011, 02:47 PM

But wouldn't alarm lights flare up immediately if someone got an email from Australia Post? How do they know my email address?
The Postie doesn't bother with the name, he only stuffs the letter into the letterbox that has the right number - sometimes that's even the only match with street name or suburb different.
So, how come they know my email address? Hellooo? Anybody at home?

But I was shocked today when a friend told me about their laptop tanking; everytime on bootup, there is a message saying there are seven Trojans on the computer. "What's a Trojan?"
When I explained what it is and how dangerous it could be, the answer came "Ohh, so could that explain why I find these funny charges on my Visa Card? Every few weeks, it's sometimes $37, or $58, and always from a company in Sydney I don't know." When I suggested call the Bank and ask for details, maybe even reverse those charges, I got the reply "Oh, I don't know. It's all so complicated and I don't think I want to deal with it right now."

[PeterH]

In Reply To: arty's post @ Oct 28 2011, 08:27 PM

There is another circulating ATM which is much more devious. It poses as Australia Post and tells you that there was a parcel which was unable to be delivered at your house but that it can be collected from the Post Office. It suggests that you click on details of sender to find out more. A trojan horse follows the click.

[arty]

In Reply To: henrietta's post @ Oct 28 2011, 07:31 PM

Yeah right !! I don't even have an ANZ account

Oops !
But don't feel left out; there are similar ones from Westpac and CommSec. Just a matter of time and you'll get one that's right for you.