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May 24, 2021 By Vicki McGregor

Phone Scams – Still on the Attack

Pesky phone scams, we’re all onto them – right?

Maybe not.

A local bank recently contacted us to help one of their clients who had come into their branch to get advice. The client had been convinced to allow a caller into his computer via remote access. Credit card details were requested. Then he realised something was wrong and hung up.

Jim asked him to turn off his computer as he had not yet turned it off.
The bank had already closed his account.

On investigation, Jim found that the scammer had set up a Western Union app and a Remote Control app from the computer’s Google Play Store.
These apps allow for the syphoning of money from the victim’s account into the scammer’s account.

Fortunately no lasting damage was done.

Phone scammers are continually altering the way they approach people.
They especially prey on the elderly and the less tech savvy.

The simplest defence is to never give out personal information on the phone or through email. If it’s sounds too good to be true, it most likely is.

This phone scam is a version of a Voucher Exchange SCAM.
Read more about or report scams at Scamwatch

*Something to Note: If you have been a victim of a scam, your contact phone number is most likely shared around scammers and you will probably receive more calls.

Concerned that you may have been a victim of a scam or a virus placement on your computer? Contact us for help.

Filed Under: Cyber Security, Tips Tagged With: Money Transfer Scams, scam, Security

February 15, 2018 By Web Admin Sydney Web and Tech

Western Union Money Transfer Scams

Were you a victim of Western Union Scams?

Western Union scams

There has been so many different scams involving Western Union as the conduit for payment.

Here’s one example from several years ago, involving a family member and the sale of their truck.

The truck was advertised in the Trading post and one day later it was sold.
But…
The buyer was on an oil rig.
Although payment for the truck itself was ok, he was having difficulty in transferring money for the truck to be shipped from N.S.W. to W.A., without which the sale could not go through.
Would it be possible for the shipping cost to be added on to the total truck sale price, and to send the shipping cost directly to the shipper via Paypal?
Of course it will be handled by Western Union, so it’s all above board.

Alarm bells were rung and the sale did not go through.

Below is the email from Paypal, involving the payment through Western Union.

western union scams

You may be Eligible for a Refund

Not everyone has escaped these scams
Western Union has admitted to aiding and abetting wire fraud and has paid a US$586 million to the US Department of Justice. This money is being used to provide refunds worldwide to eligible victims.

Take Action Now
The ACCC is encouraging all Australians who lost money to Western Union scams (including dating and romance scammers) between 2004 and 2017 to take action by 31st May. You may be eligible for a refund.
Further information can be found on the ACCC website :Victims scammed via Western Union.

If you would like any information or advice regarding scams in email or through the internet, please contact us.

Filed Under: Cyber Security Tagged With: Money Transfer Scams

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