Coronavirus crisis: New NBN scams targeting people working from home during COVID-19 pandemic

People working from home have been warned to be on the lookout for two fresh new scams related to NBN and the coronavirus crisis.

NBN Co’s chief security officer Darren Kane said it was important not to be complacent as people spent more time online during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Unfortunately, in times like this, phishing emails and scams soon follow as they try to take advantage of the disruption and uncertainty,” he said.

“With scammers increasing their efforts to use COVID-19 to steal people’s personal or financial details, we are starting to see the emergence of NBN-related COVID-19 scams, so we are working with agencies like Scamwatch to continue to monitor the situation and alert the community.”

Two of the new scams reported in recent weeks specifically targeted those working from home.

Scammers posing as NBN workers have been calling and telling residents that they had reached their data limit.

Others tried to convince residents there was a problem with the router and they needed access because of an issue with the firewall.

The scammer then asks the victim to go to a site or click on a link via email and give them access to their computer via an app such as Team Viewer.

“We want to remind everyone to never give an unsolicited caller remote access to your computer or devices via the installation of programs such as Team Viewer or share any financial information or personal details with someone they don’t know,” Mr Kane said.

“It is important to not click on the links or attachments in suspicious emails and never respond to unsolicited messages. This is even more important for all of us that are working from home, as scammers are on the hunt for ways to get access and disrupt home and corporate networks.”

NBN Co’s top tips for protecting against scammers

• Remember NBN will never call and ask to access your computer or advise that you’re going to be disconnected. NBN Co is a wholesaler, which means it does not sell phone or internet services directly to the public. People need to contact their preferred phone and internet provider in order to make the switch.
• Never give an unsolicited caller remote access to your computer or devices via the installation of programs, such as Team Viewer.
• NBN Co does not make automated calls, such as robocalls, to advise of disconnections to NBN or existing copper phone line services. Do not engage with these calls.
• Do not share your financial information (i.e. bank, credit card or gift card details) or personal details with an unsolicited caller or door knockers trying to seek payment for an NBN service.
• If in doubt, hang up and call your retail service provider on their official customer service centre number to check if the call is legitimate. Do not use contact details supplied by the caller.
• Visit NBN Co’s website for information on how to identify and avoid potential scammers or for advice if you suspect you have been scammed.