REVEALED: The frightening new NBN robocall scam threatening to steal thousands of Australians' private details
- Scammers have been targeting suburbs where the NBN is being installed
- The automated calls ask customers to select one of two phone options
- Both options transfer them to a call centre where personal information is stolen
- There are fears thousands of Australians - including elderly - will be targeted
There are fears thousands of Australians could have their personal information stolen by a robocall system that is targeting places where the NBN is being installed.
A man from Sydney's northern beaches was contacted this week and told his phone would be cut off due to installation in his area.
'They left two messages that were the exact same and my first instinct was that they were a scam so I deleted them right away,' Greg Lyall told nine.
The automated calls ask customers to select one of two phone options or their phones will be disconnected (stock pic)
While Mr Lyall knew the calls were part of a scam, he fears others - particularly the elderly - might not be so wise.
'The NBN is currently being installed in my street right now and they have been dropping flyers into letterboxes, so it does make me wonder how many people have taken things further.'
The automated calls ask the customer to select one of two options, both of which result in them being transferred to a call centre.
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The scammers are targeting areas where the NBN is being installed. Currently eight millions homes are NBN-ready (stock pic)
The scammers then persuade unwitting customers to hand over personal information.
NBN Robocall scams was first detected in 2017 and in that year alone they cost victims $28,000.
NBN Co issued a statement to the fraud watchdog, Scamwatch, to warn consumers about the robocalls.
'Scammers are increasingly taking the opportunity to impersonate NBN Co and take advantage of consumers, including those living in retirement villages,' it said.
A Sydney resident is concerned the scammers will target vulnerable people, including the elderly (stock pic)
'It's important to be aware that NBN Co will never make unsolicited calls or door knock to sell broadband services. NBN Co may make calls to individuals registered on our Medical Alarm or Fire and Lift registers but will never request payment or bank account details during these calls.
'Protect your personal information by being on guard, verify who are you are talking to and do not give your personal details or bank account details to an unsolicited caller.'
The NBN was established in 2009 and promises to deliver fast and reliable internet access across Australia at an affordable.
Over eight million Australian households are NBN-ready and the network is due for completion in 2021.
