Riverina Tech Knowledge

01/09/2021

WARNING: The Flubot scam is changing. We are receiving reports of texts like these saying a parcel is being delivered/in transit & containing php links. Delete these messages & don’t click on links! If you want to check a delivery, use the confirmation email from the business.

Image and information via Scamwatch

23/08/2021

So far this year scammers have stolen more than $7.2 million from Australians by gaining access to home computers, an increase of 184 per cent compared to the same period last year.

19/10/2020

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that imprisons data and files on your device until a ransom is paid.

DO NOT PAY the ransom! Contact the Australian Cyber Security Centre to report the crime and seek advice!

For more info: https://www.cyber.gov.au/acsc/view-all-content/threats/ransomware

16/03/2020

Please spread the message around to all of your elderly friends/family or even those that are just not tech savvy. Unfortunately there are a lot of humans out there that are just as bad as this current virus.

⚠️ SCAM ALERT ⚠️ Watch out for scam text messages impersonating the Government with advice on testing for COVID-19.

These messages try to trick you into installing software that steals your banking details. Delete and do not click the link!

Read more https://www.staysmartonline.gov.au/alert-service/covid-19-scam-messages-targeting-australians and sign up to our free email Alert Service to keep up to date with the latest online threats www.staysmartonline.gov.au/alert-service.

31/07/2019

03/07/2019

It's tax time and scammers are calling people and threatening them with arrest unless a tax debt is paid using iTunes cards.

The Australian Taxation Office will never threaten arrest or demand immediate payment, particularly through unusual means such as bitcoin, pre-paid credit cards or gift cards

Learn more here: https://www.ato.gov.au/General/Online-services/Identity-security/Scam-alerts/

27/12/2017

We see this far too often unfortunately. We just need to spread the word far and wide to make everyone aware of it. Currently cleaning up a customers PC after this same scam. We would much rather make a living from general cleanups, not after the poor customer has just lost thousands to these scum. SPREAD THE WORD.

FRAUD/SCAM

If you think the Police have been putting a lot of warnings out of late regarding potential frauds and/or scams, it is for a very good reason, people aren’t listening and unfortunately paying the financial penalty.

The latest is the TEAM VIEWER scam.

Most people falling victims of late, have received a telephone call by an unknown caller.

The callers or scammers may use different strategies, claiming to be from an Internet Service Provider. As far as we know, most fraud cases follow a similar model:

• A call by an unknown person with a strong foreign accent
• The caller misleads the recipient of the call by telling them that he/she is calling from a tech company
• The caller then tries to make the recipient of the call believe that error reports from the victim's computer (caused by viruses etc.) have been sent to the alleged tech company the caller claims to be working for
• In most cases, the victims are then asked by the caller to open the Windows Event Viewer (Start -> Run -> "eventvwr"). We believe that the callers do this to make their victims feel insecure about the security of their personal computer
• After intimidating the victims, the callers offer "support" or (fake) service contracts to the victims
• To undermine the credibility of their offer, the callers then install remote control programs such as TeamViewer or other free online remote support solutions and connect to the victim's computer
• In most cases, the callers then install free anti-virus tools or so-called "scareware"

Those above-mentioned scam callers are using free products like TeamViewer and several other free anti-virus systems, charging the customer for installing these.

To ensure that it is safe to use your computer again (for example, for online banking), we recommend having it checked by a local IT support company or a person you can trust.
Don’t ever believe the scammer’s lies, no matter how convincing they sound—hang up on their calls and delete their emails immediately.

1. Be alert that scams exist
2. Know who you are dealing with always
3. Do not open suspicious files or e-mails
4. Keep your personal information secure and do not provide it to anyone who you do not know
5. Keep mobile devices and computers secure
6. Choose passwords well
7. Review privacy settings on social media and
8. Beware all requests for your MONEY or PERSONAL INFORMATION.

If you feel you having fallen victim to a fraud and/or scam, contact your banking institution immediately.

For further information on current scams and how to protect yourself please go to: www.scamwatch.gov.au

04/04/2017

SCAM ALERT!

Beware of unsolicited phone calls from suspects who claim to be calling from legitimate IT companies. The scammer will allege that your computer is infected and in need of urgent repair. The victim will be guided to allow remote access to their computer for the fake technician to assess the issue.

DO NOT GIVE THEM ACCESS!

They could potentially infect your PC with a Cryptolocker virus which renders your device unusable and requires payment to be removed. They also have the ability to steal your personal information.

If you believe you have been the target of this scam or similar, you can report to your local Police Station or online via:
https://www.acorn.gov.au/

04/04/2017

Preparing for the Easter break? Look out for these scams.

03/02/2017

Far too many of these going around at the moment. Please make sure your elderly relatives are aware, and to not be afraid of asking for a second opinion from friends or family.

Received an email pressuring you into providing your personal details? Scammers are good at making you feel vulnerable. If you're uncomfortable with what's in your inbox, ask a friend or family member.

Stay Smart Online has useful tips for banking and paying bills online. Head to: https://www.staysmartonline.gov.au/your-identity/banking-and-paying-bills-online

12/12/2016

They keep doing the rounds. We have had to recover another PC this week. A very expensive exercise, but we can recover files in most cases.

SCAM ALERT! Watch out for fake parcel delivery scams this Christmas

Scammers are sending emails pretending to be from Australia Post or FedEx, to try and trick you into believing you have an ‘undeliverable package’. In some cases, these emails may include your name and address and include legitimate-looking company information, complete with fake logos.

The email may threaten to charge you a fee for holding your ‘undelivered item’, and will ask you to open an attachment, click a link or download a file to retrieve your parcel. If you follow these instructions, you will likely download a ransomware virus that locks your computer.

To unlock your computer, scammers demand payment in the form of bitcoins (a form of online currency) or wire transfer. Even if you pay the fee, there is no guarantee that you will be able to access your computer again.

Australia Post will never call you out of the blue to request payment or send you an email asking you to click on an attachment.

If you receive an email about an un-deliverable package, don’t open any attachments or download files – delete it straight away!

Find out more at - https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/news/don%E2%80%99t-accept-gifts-from-a-scammer-this-christmas