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The Australian Securities & Investment Commission (ASIC) Moneysmart website describes the following scenario as a typical phishing scam.
You get an email, text message or phone call out of the blue from someone saying they are from your bank.
They say there is a problem with your account and ask you to give them your account details or click on a link.
If you give them these details, the scammer can use the information to steal money from your bank account.
If you are called by a bank or other company, there is no way you can know they are really who they say they are unless you look them up in the phone book and call them yourself.
The Moneysmart website offers the following advice to avoid getting scammed:
When accessing websites:
Don't use the links provided in emails or texts - type the address into your browser
Check the website address carefully to make sure it is correct
Things to avoid
Don't send money or give your personal, credit or banking details to anyone unless you made the phone call and know that the phone number is the right one
Don't send your personal or banking details to anyone via text message or email
Don't open any email that you think could be from a scammer - delete it
Don't click on any links in a suspicious email or open any files attached to it
Don't call a phone number that you see in a spam email or text message
Don't enter your personal, credit or banking details into a website if you are not absolutely sure the website is genuine.
www.moneysmart.gov.au