Beware of Phone Scams

Have you been a victim of a phone scam lately? Stay alert and follow some of the tips given to the community by the NSW Police Force. More often than not Senior citizens fall prey to such phone scams and pressure to extort money.

Bank, Coin Bank, Security System, Telephone Source: Getty Images

Have you ever received a phone call claiming that you have a virus in your computer and they wish to help you fix the problem and request your personal details? Beware! Never give out your personal details to anyone known or unknown on the phone. You need to protect yourself from all kinds of phone and internet frauds. In this age of highly advanced electronic communication fraudsters need not necessarily be face to face to steal a simple victim's money or identity.

Anyone can be susceptible to scams but they are more likely to target senior citizens. The NSW Police Force is supporting the Seniors Festival which runs from 4th to 15th April.

The Hindi Program ran a talk back on this subject and we had a flood of callers who had some unsavory experiences, but fortunately none of them were duped.

Annoyed and angry businessman on phone Source: Getty Images/SoumenNath

Mr Rajiv from Melbourne said, "I put an ad in gumtree to sell a car and a potential buyer said he wanted to purchase the car for his son, and wanted to make the payment through PayPal. I agreed, but when i received the email from PayPal, I knew something was wrong, I instantly dropped that sale." 

Rajiv further told us that often scammers ask you simple questions to which you answer into "YES". They then record your "YES" word and use it as if you have agreed to buy a product or service.

Sandeep came to Australia one year ago, he told us the shocking story about receiving a call about a month ago from a scammer who pretended to be from the Consulate General of India. The man told Sandeep that his visa was going to be cancelled because he had entered his date of birth incorrectly. The caller asked for a big sum of money to rectify the problem. Sandeep became alert but he was told that if he does not pay up they will send police the police to his house. Sandeep just hung up on the caller.

The Assistant Commissioner NSW Police Max Mitchell has advised on facebook:

Secure your Credit Cards, never give out any details.

Know who you are talking to before giving out any personal detail.

Do not get pressurized to make any payments Online.

 

if you ever get a call from an unknown person to say your phone has a virus, just keep them on hold and walk away, or simply hang up on them.

If you fall victim to any such scam simply call PAL on 131 444. This is the Police Assistance Line ready to help you. PAL takes reports of fraud.