Urgent notice! Don't take the bait

"May I steal your bank account details, please?"  We would all know exactly how to respond to such a question no matter how genuine or polite the caller sounded.

"When the same question is disguised in 'phishing' emails or calls, however, many consumers fall 'hook, line and sinker' ", ACCC Deputy Chair and Chair of the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce, Ms Louise Sylvan, said today.

"This particular scam is so successful because the scamsters use important trigger words and phrases like 'WARNING - Security breach of your account', or 'Account Verification Required', 'Account Suspended' and 'Billing Error'", she said.

"These words are carefully chosen to elicit one particular response – for the consumer to open the email and respond immediately without pausing to think".

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has renewed calls for consumers to take precautions against phishing as part of a four week campaign by the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce* to help people protect themselves from scams.

"Phishing isn't new", Ms Sylvan said. "What is new is the intensity and technical sophistication.  These scams not only trick people into disclosing personal details such as PINs and passwords, but even clicking on the email link can upload dangerous code onto the consumer's computer which is designed to capture personal information.

"Scamsters are also using 'spoofed' websites that look totally authentic, making their whole package seem genuine and urgent to people", she said.  "And it is important to note that phishing emails or calls do not only appear to come from banks or other financial institutions.  Online auctions have been another target.

"The consumer is a frontline defence against a phishing scams - the best protection against scammers is to hit the delete key or hang up!

Ms Sylvan welcomed the extensive private sector work in alerting consumers to phishing.

"As Chair of the Australian Consumer Fraud Taskforce, I wish particularly to commend the private sector not only for their support for the Taskforce but also for the excellent initiative of the banks and credit unions in undertaking 'to never send customers an email requesting personal security details'. This clear message will help ensure that email phishing in Australia is killed off".

Background

Tips to help consumers protect themselves from phishing

1. First, stay calm Resist your first impulse to hit the 'reply' button. Never follow the instructions in the email.
2. Suspect a scam if you're asked for your account details or passwords by email.
3. Keep your computer secure Some frauds can lure you into opening an email or an attachment that secretly installs a 'trojan', allowing scammers to monitor your computer and access your accounts. Install and keep up-to-date protection on your computer, and remember your best weapon is the 'delete' button.
4. Only go to the official website for your financial institution using your 'favourites' or by typing the website address (URL) in the address bar of your browser.
5. Avoid using computers at public places, such as internet cafes and libraries, for any online banking. Public computers can harbour spyware, leaving your account open to scammers.
6. Take a few privacy precautions. Keep private information out of chat rooms and guard your email address and phone number.
7. Never click on a link – this could result in a nasty, unwanted download such as a 'trojan'.
8. Act quickly if you think you've been conned.
   If you get a suspicious email contact your financial institution or your legitimate service provider directly. Do not respond to any contact details in the email. If you're still uncertain or if you have sent any details through an email or website you're a bit worried about, email or phone your financial institution or the legitimate service provider through their customer support department, and ask them to confirm the email's authenticity. They will tell you what to do next.

Check out the Australian Securities & Investment Commission Fido's financial tips and safety checks at www.fido.asic.gov.au.

Consumers should also check out the ScamWatch website at www.scamwatch.gov.au which has information about scams and how to protect yourself from them. To report a scam call 1300 795 995.

*Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce

Phishing scams are one of the scams in the sights of the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce. Established in March 2005, the Taskforce comprises 18 government regulatory agencies and departments in Australia and New Zealand who have a remit for consumer protection in relation to frauds and scams. 

Agencies participating in the Taskforce are:

Australian Government: Attorney General's Department; Australian Bureau of Statistics; Australian Communications and Media Authority; Australian Competition & Consumer Commission; Australian Federal Police (represented by the Australian High Tech Crime Centre); Australian Institute of Criminology; Australian Securities & Investment Commission; Department of Communications, Information Technology & the Arts.
New Zealand Government: NZ Commerce Commission; Ministry of Consumer Affairs.

State and Territory Governments: Australian Capital Territory – Office of Fair Trading; Consumer Affairs Victoria; New South Wales – Office of Fair Trading; Northern Territory – Department of Justice; Queensland – Department of Tourism, Fair Trading and Wine Industry Development; South Australia – Office of Consumer & Business Affairs; Tasmania – Office of Consumer Affairs & Fair Trading; Western Australia – Department of Consumer & Employment Protection.
Taskforce partners: Taskforce members are joined in communicating with Australian consumers about scams by a range of community, non-Government and private sector organisations. Visit www.scamwatch.gov.au for a list of Taskforce partners

Taskforce agencies issuing media on phishing scams:

Department of Communications, Information Technology & the Arts
Australian Communications and Media Authority
Australian Competition & Consumer Commission
Australian High Tech Crime Centre (Australian Federal Police)
Australian Capital Territory –  Office of Fair Trading
Consumer Affairs Victoria;
New South Wales – Office of Fair Trading;
Northern Territory – Department of Justice;
Tasmania – Office of Consumer Affairs & Fair Trading;
Western Australia – Department of Consumer & Employment Protection.