Heartless scammers steal $100k off WA family as NBN Co issues alert over two new scams targeting residents

Heartless scammers have ripped off a WA family to the tune of $100,000 amid warnings about two new NBN-related scams aimed at households in the State.

The family was targeted at the same time legitimate NBN Co contractors were working in the area nearby — a tactic reportedly used by scammers to confuse their victims.

The scammer contacted the WA woman via her home phone, telling her she needed to perform a speed test on her computer and all other devices connected to the internet.

A day later, he called the woman’s mobile number, which she had not provided to him, and asked that she step outside to check a coloured box on the side of the house.

Five days later, the woman’s husband was checking the bank accounts when he found two withdrawals — one for $4998 and another for more than $100,000.

It’s understood the scammer used the time the woman stepped out of the house to access banking information on the family’s devices.

NBN Co’s head of state media Jane McNamara said the scam was a variation on one that had come to light recently, in which scammers claimed radiation or harmful UV rays were coming from the computer.

The scammer instructs the individual to move away from or cover the screen, allowing the scammer unmonitored or remote access to the device.

Ms McNamara said another new scam involved residents being sent a fraudulent NBN invoice for payment after being offered an NBN upgrade over the phone.

“Scammers thrive on uncertainty and misinformation when it comes to the use of the NBN brand to access people’s computers to steal information or push for unnecessary payments,” she said.

“NBN Co is a wholesaler and does not make unsolicited calls to sell products, request remote access to computers through programs like Team Viewer, ask you to purchase gift cards in lieu of cash payments, threaten to disconnect your services, or request personal or financial details.”

Figures released today as part of National Scams Awareness Week reveal more than 200 West Aussies reported being targeted by NBN scammers in the first six months of 2020.

Go to www.nbn.com.au/scamadvice for information on how to avoid and identify potential scammers.

NBN Co’s tips for protecting against scammers

• Remember NBN Co 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 lineservices. 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 a service over the NBN network.
• 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.