Sometimes scams are obvious, sometimes they’re harder to spot. P&N Bank is urging members to stop and check – ‘Is this for real?’
There are a host of scams that are currently being circulated and P&N is seeing an increase in financial crime attempts against members, making it timely to learn more about how to protect yourself.
If you received a phone call out of the blue from someone saying you had a tax debt that you had to pay immediately or you’d be arrested - what would you think? If Telstra called you and said there were internet problems in your area and they needed remote access to your computer to help you, otherwise they would disconnect your service - what would you do?
These are good examples of threat-based impersonation scams. In 2017 the ACCC’s Scamwatch received almost 33,000 reports of scams like these with over $4.7 million reported lost and more than 2,800 people coerced into sharing their personal information.
Typically scammers pretend to be from a government agency or a well-known, trusted business. They often use threats to pressure or scare people into giving them their personal information and money. They also may threaten people with fines, disconnecting their internet, arrest, court action or even deportation.
The scammers work hard to make sure their threats seem genuine and frightening! They make you feel as if you’ve done something wrong and that you must do what they say immediately, or suffer the consequences.
Don't be one of the many who have fallen victim to this type of scam.
If you’re contacted unexpectedly and threatened by someone who says they’re from a government agency or trusted business, always consider the possibility that it may be a scam - then stop and check ‘Is this for real?’
Here are some tips to protect yourself:
If you’ve lost money or given personal information to a scammer, there are steps you can take straight away to limit the damage and protect yourself from further loss:
Read more about threat based impersonation scams, including case studies and more tips on staying safe.
Read more tips about protecting yourself from all types of scams.
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