This December 2015 we are seeing a lot more people being involved in the fake Telstra scam.

The scam starts off as a fishing scam, the culprits are calling people and informing them they are from Telstra Bigpond and there is a problem with their internet and computer.

The phishing scam

This is called a fishing scam because they don’t even really know you have a Telstra Bigpond internet connection, but by throwing in so phishing lines they are bound to get a few bites. Considering Bigpond is the biggest (ISP) Internet Service Provider in Australia, I am sure they are getting a few bites.

A lot of people are still being scammed of money through this technique as the scammers are very well experienced and versed in their approach.

The first approach they use is by telling the unsuspecting Bigpond customer that their computer is using their internet to send viruses to other Telstra Bigpond customers and if they don’t call a certain number and arrange some sort of payment they will be disconnected from the Telstra Bigpond network and be flagged so they will not be able to get an internet account with any other Australian Internet Service Provider.

 

The second approach

If that doesn’t work the second approach they use is threatening you wth legal action.

By not contributing to fixing the (fake) problem they inform you that you are indeed contributing to the problem by putting the multi-billion dollar Bigpond network at risk and to expect a call or letter to be used by their lawyers, all fake and bluffing of course, but still good enough to full a lot of people.

The younger generations seem to be a lot less susceptible to this type of scam, maybe due to their tech savviness.

Unfortunately this is a lesson you will only need to learn once. People who fall foul to this scam have everything from money taken from their account, to their credit card being stacked up with bills and their credit card shared online.

 

The defence

If you receive a call from someone claiming to be Telstra just hand up straight away.

If you are concerned they very well may of been who they claimed to, you can certainly go to the www.bigpond.com website or your Yellow Pages and find the Telstra Bigpond support number and give them a call.

They will be able to tell you if it was them or not.

Most of the time you will know there is a problem with your computer or internet well before anyone else does, or has the time to do something about it.

You usually know when something this wrong, like it is running really slow, your computer keeps freezing up or there are things popping up all over your screen.

 

Its never too late

If you gave the scammers access to your computer and they are operating it remotely, turn it off straight away and give us a call and we can sort it out for you.

If you are worried about other devices on your network you can also unplug your broadband modem/router from the wall which will stop them from accessing your computer or any other on your network.

If you gave them your credit card notify your bank immediately. They will most likely cancel your cards and it will be a little inconvenient, but it could be a lot lot worse.

 

If you think you have been affected by the Telstra Bigpond phone scam call Ross Rudall on 0402 807 890.