Detecting and protecting yourself from scam calls and SMS is crucial in safeguarding your personal information and finances.
Here are some tips to help you:
- Trust your instincts and be cautious of unsolicited calls and SMS, even if they appear to be from credible sources.
- Never provide personal or account information, make immediate payments, or grant remote access to your device.
- Look out for common tactics such as fake prizes, well-known logos, repeated calls or SMS, recorded messages, or links in SMS messages.
- Don't respond to missed calls or SMS from unknown international numbers, and consider blocking any suspicious numbers on your phone.
- If you're unsure about a call, let it go to voicemail and verify the number by searching for the official contact details online before returning the call.
- Be careful about sharing personal information on social media and avoid clicking on unknown links in text messages.
- Contact your financial institution immediately if you suspect you've fallen victim to a scam.
To report a scam call or SMS, you can contact VoIPline Telecom directly or report it to Scamwatch, a division of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
For more information on how to protect yourself from scam calls and SMS, the following agencies provide helpful resources:
- Scamwatch (www.scamwatch.gov.au)
- Australian Cyber Security Centre (www.cyber.gov.au)
- Australian Communications and Media Authority (www.acma.gov.au)
- Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (www.accc.gov.au)
