TASMANIA Police has warned of increasingly common “sophisticated technology-based crimes”, as the state’s battle with online scammers continues.
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Detective Sergeant Gen Hickman said on Thursday that three scams were of particular concern to police and residents – a finance officer scam, a bank account scam, and a business bills email scam.
Detective Sergeant Hickman said finance officers at businesses are receiving emails about “preparing a payment” from people claiming to be their boss.
Emails are exchanged and the fake boss provides direction as to who and how to pay the requested funds.
In the last two weeks, several actual and attempted losses to business have occurred.
The details of targeted people are obtained from business websites and technology is used to send an email that looks legitimate.
“Reports have been received from quite big businesses down to voluntary children sports groups,” Detective Sergeant Hickman said.
The second scam that has caused concern in recent weeks involves criminals collection personal information and people’s phone numbers from mobile phones.
This allows the scammer to arrange for the mobile phone to be ported to another device or phone provider.
The scammer then intercepts the SMS authentication code that the bank would send to the person’s mobile phone for a new payer transfer.
Funds are then transferred out of the bank account.
Funds can then be accessed by using the phone for a cashless cash withdrawal, which leaves no electronic trail for police to follow.
Detective Sergeant Hickman said there are warning signs to be aware of:
- Your phone service is suddenly disconnected or is playing up.
- You are notified of a change in provider by text message.
- You obtain some strange calls at home or work seeking your mobile number and personal information.
“Scammers can pose as clients or from government agencies and ask other family members about urgently contacting you,” Detective Sergeant Hickman said.
Lastly, police have warned that people who pay bills to businesses are receiving email notifications that bank account information for that business has changed and new account details are provided.
These details are false and belong to the scammer.
There have been several instances in recent times, including one involving a “diverted payment” of $200,000 to a Hobart company and another diverted payment of $20,000 from a Hobart based payee to an interstate company.
In these instances, there is the loss of the payment and the original debt remains outstanding with the company, Detective Sergeant Hickman said.
Police have advised residents to:
- Always check any request for an unexpected payment verbally with your ‘boss’ before you prepare a payment.
- Do not ignore unexpected mobile phone porting notifications, disconnections, or other issues. Call your provider immediately to find out what is happening.
- If your phone has already been ported to another phone provider, immediately ring your bank to stop any transactions.
- Ensure no one provides your personal information or mobile number. Businesses should have the caller leave details and check with the person about giving out the mobile number or personal information to another.
- Never trust any email notification of changes to bank account and verify this independently before sending any funds.
- Ensure your social media privacy settings are at the highest level to avoid detection of personal information within the public domain.
Anyone who has been scammed should call Tasmania Police on 131 444, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
