Terrifying Flubot scam sees $63.6million stolen from 110,000 Australians in just a few months as part of network of phone frauds – and it's getting even easier to fall for
- Australia's scam watchdog revealed $211million has been lost to scams in 2021
- This is an 89 per cent increase on 2020 with the average amount at $11,000
- Phone scams such as the new 'Flubot' accounted for $63.6million of this
- Fraudsters send a text claiming recipients have a voicemail or package waiting
Australians lost $63.6million to phone scams in just a few months with 110,000 people duped, with the Flubot fake text messages making up half of all the incidents.
The text messages, which are inundating thousands of people's phones, pretend that you have a package to collect or a voicemail to listen to - when in fact clicking on the link will infect your phone with malware and let scammers steal cash.
Delia Rickard, the deputy chair of the consumer watchdog the ACCC said she was concerned to 'see these scams evolving and becoming more sophisticated to steal even more money from unsuspecting people'.
According to the new data released on Monday by the ACCC's Scamwatch Australians have reported $211million lost to scams in 2021 - an 89 per cent increase on last year.
Scamwatch said there are a number of different version of the Flubot message with the latest telling recipients they have a parcel they should track (pictured)
Australians are being warned they fake texts link to malware which can steal passwords and they should delete the texts and not click links (stock image)
Ms Rickard said the figures also showed that people who were falling for scams such as Flubot were losing bigger amounts.
The average amount swindled in 2020 was $7,000 but this has surged to $11,000 this year.
The fastest growing type of fraud is phone scams, such as Flubot, which made up more than half of all frauds reported.
'In August, the new Flubot malware scams masquerading as fake voicemail and parcel delivery scams exploded, which have resulted in more than 13,000 reports in just eight weeks.'
'These scams are particularly concerning in our current climate, as many people are turning to online shopping because of the COVID-19 lockdowns,' Ms Rickard said.
The most recent version of the scam is a text message asking Australians to click on a link to track a parcel.
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The new message contains a link and reads: 'You have pending packages. Last chance to pick up the package'.
Once a victim clicks the link they are told to visit a second website where they can download an app to follow their parcel - but the app is really malware designed to log passwords and financial information.
Scamwatch previously said different versions of the Flubot messages were popping up - including ones claiming users have a voicemail or have missed a delivery - but they all ask the recipient to click a link.
'Don't be fooled and DO NOT CLICK on the link. This downloads malware which gives scammers access to your phone.' Scamwatch tweeted.
'If you have logged in to any accounts or apps using a password since downloading the app, you need to change your passwords.'
Ms Rickard said more than 230 people were falling for flubot each day.
The ACCC said Australians lost more than $60million to phone scams to September 2021
Other similar types of scams include people who call or text claiming to be from well-known companies.
'Scammers are pretending to be from companies such as Amazon or eBay and claiming large purchases have been made on the victim's credit card.' Ms Rickard said.
'When they pretend to help you process a refund, they actually gain remote access to your computer and steal your personal and banking details.'
And the ACCC also revealed in August bogus investment opportunities were also a risk for Australians .
'Remember, you never know who you are dealing with online,' Ms Rickard said.
Scamwatch warned people to never click on any links unless they know and trust the sender
'Scammers often pretend to be from a well-known organisation, such as a bank or the government, and they will pretend to offer you something such as money or a benefit, or claim that you are in trouble.'
'Do not click on any links in messages that come to you out of the blue, and never provide any of your personal or banking details to someone you don't personally know and trust.'
