logo
Australians warned of new 'spoof call' scam impersonating consumer watchdog

Australians warned of new 'spoof call' scam impersonating consumer watchdog

SBS Australia20-06-2025
Australians are being warned that scammers are reportedly spoofing phone numbers belonging to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) in an attempt to steal personal information. The National Anti-Scam Centre, which operates under the ACCC, issued a warning after it became aware of scammers using ACCC phone numbers, which are listed on the agency's official website. Here's what you need to know about the latest scam, how to spot it, and what to do if you are targeted.
The scammers are reportedly using the phone numbers to pretend to be representatives of the ACCC and request personal information from unsuspecting recipients.
According to the National Anti-Scam Centre, the numbers have been "spoofed", and the ACCC does not make calls from the publicly listed numbers. ACCC deputy chair Catriona Lowe said: "Spoofing is when scammers disguise their phone number to make it look like they're calling from a trusted organisation — including government agencies like the ACCC — to deceive people into answering and sharing personal information." "This is a tactic that helps scammers hide their true identity while posing as trusted institutions — it's designed to lower your guard." If a call or message feels suspicious, the ACCC recommends ending the call and contacting the agency directly to verify the information.
In some of the reported incidents, scammers requested sensitive information over the phone, misused the ACCC acronym to impersonate an unrelated organisation, or spoke in a language other than English. The ACCC says it will never 'cold' call or email consumers and ask for personal information such as passwords, bank details, or answers to security questions.
The ACCC also does not charge money for its services and does not threaten or pressure you to stay on the line. If a caller does any of these things, it could be a scam. The ACCC suggests hanging up and reporting the incident. The National Anti-Scam Centre also said 'urgent' requests asking people to 'act immediately' could be a sign of a scam.
If you receive an unusual call, message or email, consider whether it could be fake — even if it appears to come from an organisation you know and trust. The ACCC advises if something feels wrong, it is best to act quickly. End the call, and contact the organisation directly yourself to verify if the call was real or not.
Any scams should be reported to ScamWatch, and messages received on platforms like WhatsApp or iMessage should also be reported. If you have provided personal information, contact IDCARE on 1800 595 160 and contact your bank immediately.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘Better luck next time': Taggers flee police after spraying train
‘Better luck next time': Taggers flee police after spraying train

News.com.au

time28 minutes ago

  • News.com.au

‘Better luck next time': Taggers flee police after spraying train

A pair of vandals has been caught on video chasing down a train, spray-painting one of its carriages, and then fleeing from police by scaling a fence. The footage, which has circulated widely on social media, has prompted a police investigation. The video, filmed by a passenger on board the train, was uploaded to social media pages under the name Logan Graffiti, titled: 'Better luck next time.' It shows two individuals, their faces covered and carrying what appear to be spray paint cans, running alongside the moving train. Both can be seen glancing over their shoulders as they sprint. When the train comes to a stop, one of the pair tags the side of a carriage while also appearing to film the act on their phone. Moments later, the duo scrambles over a fence as three police officers arrive in pursuit. The officers stop short of climbing the fence. Passengers on board the train can be heard reacting to the incident, with some chanting 'trespassers, trespassers.' 'Get outa here,' one woman yells. The pair is then seen running across a road and into a nearby residential area. The Queensland Police Service has confirmed the incident and said an investigation is underway. 'Queensland Police are investigating a graffiti and trespassing incident at Newmarket last week,' a spokesperson said. 'As the train stopped, two suspects have graffitied the left side of the train, before jumping over a nearby fence upon being challenged by police. 'They then ran across Newmarket Road and fled through a number of properties.' The Logan Graffiti social media pages frequently post photos and videos of graffiti on trains, railway infrastructure, and nearby walls.

Charge dropped after Greens candidate injured in protest scuffle
Charge dropped after Greens candidate injured in protest scuffle

News.com.au

timean hour ago

  • News.com.au

Charge dropped after Greens candidate injured in protest scuffle

Police have dropped one of the charges against former Greens candidate Hannah Thomas after it was found officers should not have used a rare emergency power introduced after the 2005 Cronulla riots. Ms Thomas was severely injured during a pro-Palestine protest in Sydney's southwest on June 27 that was attended by about 60 people, and left her with a bloody and battered eye. NSW Police said the protest was not authorised and attempted to disperse the group. 'Five people have been arrested following an unauthorised protest in Sydney's west this morning,' a statement at the time read. 'About 5.35am Friday, officers attached to Campsie Police Area Command attended Lakemba Street, Belmore. Police issued a move-on direction to a group of about 60 protesters, who allegedly attempted to block pedestrian access to the business. 'A 26-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman were subsequently arrested after allegedly failing to comply with the direction. During the 35-year-old woman's arrest, she sustained facial injuries and was taken to Bankstown Hospital for treatment.' Ms Thomas shared a picture of a swollen eye and streaks of blood rushing down her cheek, revealing she may lose her right eye after a second round of surgery, which she will undergo this week. Last week, Ms Thomas was charged with resisting arrest and refusing or failing to comply with a direction to disperse. Four others were also charged with a variety of offences. 'As police attempted to arrest the protesters who were not complying with the directions, a scuffle ensued between police and protesters,' a police statement read. Ms Thomas was additionally charged with a rarely used emergency anti-riot power under 6A of the Law Enforcement Powers and Responsibilities Act (LEPRA). The powers are in place to deal with 'large-scale public disorder', were introduced after the 2005 Cronulla riots and must be signed off by senior officers. On Monday afternoon, Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden confirmed police had dropped the charge after reviewing the incident. He said 'police will seek to withdraw the alternative charge' at the next court appearance. Following the incident last month, Ms Thomas said she may lose her vision permanently and blamed 'draconian anti-protest laws' brought in by the Minns government. 'I don't want to get into too much detail about the traumatic events on Friday, but I'm five foot one, I weigh about 45kg, I was engaged in peaceful protest, and my interactions with NSW Police have left me potentially without vision in my right eye permanently,' she said in a clip shared by MP Sue Higginson. She is set to face Bankstown Local Court on August 12.

Paraglider dies after fall at Mena Creek near Innisfail
Paraglider dies after fall at Mena Creek near Innisfail

ABC News

time2 hours ago

  • ABC News

Paraglider dies after fall at Mena Creek near Innisfail

A man has died after a paragliding incident near Innisfail in Far North Queensland. Emergency services were called to the site at Mena Creek on Monday, just before 5:40pm. Paramedics said a 63-year-old man from Utchee Creek was using a motorised parachute and fell about 20 metres, sustaining multiple serious leg injuries. He was airlifted to Cairns Hospital but died during transit. Police said they were investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and would prepare a report for the coroner.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store