How to protect yourself against NBN scams

With much of Sydney currently able to connect to the NBN or close to connection-ready and over 10 million homes across the country able to connect the prevalence of scams from people claiming to represent the NBN Co is on the increase.

Scammers often ask for access to your computer or ask for personal or financial information to fix nonexistent ‘problems’.

The message the NBN Co would like to send out to Australians is that they are a wholesaler who deals with telcos who then sell on to you. They don’t have any need to contact you directly and if there was ever an issue with your NBN connection any communication would come to you via your phone or internet provider ie Telstra, TPG, Optus etc.

Darren Kane, NBN Co’s Chief Security Officer said “This week, our teams across the country will be concentrated on arming residents, and particularly those who help some of the vulnerable in our community with utilities, with information on what to look out for and what to do if they suspect they have been contacted by a scammer impersonating NBN Co.

“As NBN Co is a wholesaler, we will never contact residents or businesses to sell phone or internet services. We will never make unsolicited calls or door knock for the purposes of seeking access to people’s computer, threaten to disconnect your services or request personal or financial details.

“Your phone and internet provider will always be the first point of contact when it comes to making the switch to the nbn™ network, so if you’re in doubt, hang up and contact your provider to verify the call.”

Tips to protect yourself against NBN scams

• NBN has no need to contact you directly.
• Do not share financial or personal details with anyone claiming they are from NBN Co.
• Never give unsolicited callers remote access to your computer, smartphone, or any other devices. Don’t download requested apps or programs such as ‘Team Viewer’.
• NBN will never use automated calls to advise of pending disconnections or phone line services.
• If you receive an automated call or ‘robocall’ (computer generated voice) do not engage, simply hang up.
• If you are unsure about any calls from people claiming to represent the NBN Co hang up and call your internet service provider directly using the customer service number on their website or your internet bill.
• Never use phone numbers provided to you during any scam NBN Co calls.

If you think you may have been the victim of a scam call, have given out personal or financial information, or allowed access to your home computer:

• Contact your bank or financial institution immediately
• Report the call to your local police
• Report the call to the Australian Cyber Security Centre – cyber.gov.au/report
• If you have provided financial info or allowed access to your computer contact IDCARE idcare.org

You can report a scam via the ACCC ScamWatch website scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam. The ACCC has also has information on where to get help if you have been the victim of a scam – scamwatch.gov.au/get-help/where-to-get-help

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Ref – https://www.nbnco.com.au/corporate-information/media-centre/media-statements/nbn-co-ramps-up-education-to-combat-rise-in-scams,  https://www.nbnco.com.au/learn/protect-yourself-from-scams