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Do you remember the scammers who would call you up to say your computer has a virus and only they can help? Well, they're back. This time scammers are telling people their NBN[*] speed needs to be tested so they can drain their bank accounts.
Over the past six months, a new scam has been on the rise, where customers receive an email from someone posing as NBN Co, and are urged to click a link to test the speed of their connection.
With just one click, they are unwittingly giving scammers access to their computer, and through that they are able to steal banking details and other sensitive information.
Jane McNamara, head of media for NBN Co, said the thief's next move would typically be to get the customer away from their screen, giving them unmonitored remote access to the person's desktop.
Often the target will be asked to go outside and check their NBN box, or to go into another room.
In some cases, they are told radiation or harmful UV rays will come from the computer and instructed to move away from or cover the screen.
This is currently one of the top three scams related to the NBN, in addition to robocalls from 'Nicole' or 'Carol' threatening to disconnect a customer's account unless a payment is made, or a fraudulent invoice being issued.
NBN Co spokeswoman Jane McNamara said the high visibility of the NBN rollout made customers less likely to question if the company was truly trying to contact them.
The irony of this, is that NBN Co does not have the contact details for anyone connected to the service, as a person can only connect through an internet and phone provider like Telstra or Optus.
[*] NBN is a wholesale provider of internet connectivity in Australia. Wikipedia entry.
There is nothing new under the sun. Except Telsa [(Tesla)|(Telstra)], they're good.
(Score: 0, Offtopic) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 31 2020, @04:50AM (8 children)
Do you mean Nikola Tesla the Serbian inventor who died in poverty or Elon Musk the South African billionaire who stole his name?
(Score: 0, Touché) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 31 2020, @06:04AM
What's with the asshole moderators these days??
(Score: 1) by In hydraulis on Monday August 31 2020, @06:25AM (3 children)
Did you mean Telstra?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 31 2020, @06:46AM
Did you mean Hellstra?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 31 2020, @07:09AM (1 child)
What's a Telsa?
(Score: 2) by driverless on Monday August 31 2020, @08:06AM
He's referring to Telsa, Oklehoma. It's a plaice, not a thing.
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 31 2020, @09:11AM
Or do you mean the one-armed bandit that screwed our Runaway1956 out of $200? (With the help of Steve Bannon! That guy is sooo smart, yeah?). (Or, Runaway is soooooo dumb.)
(Score: 2) by martyb on Monday August 31 2020, @12:47PM
Wit is intellect, dancing.
(Score: 2) by leon_the_cat on Monday August 31 2020, @01:15PM
You missed out Nikola Motors.