Scammers are going after some of Ballarat’s most vulnerable people in a recent attempt to get pension details.
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Residents have received calls from people pretending to be from Telstra, who then demand concession card details.
The ACCC has also warned of scammers impersonating the Australian Tax Office, and asking for bank details.
“Scammers will go to great lengths to slip under your radar and steal your money, including impersonating ATO representatives on the phone, sending fraudulent emails and even creating bogus websites,” ACCC acting chair Delia Rickard said in a statement.
This follows an elaborate phone scam that came out in July, in which an automated message purportedly from Virgin Australia asked for credit card details so residents could receive frequent flyer points.
Virgin Australia came out and made clear the calls were not from them.
“These calls are not from Virgin Australia,” a statement from the company said. “We strongly advise customers to hang up immediately if you suspect you have received a scam phone call.”
The ACCC recommends people visit SCAMwatch to report scams or call 1300 795 995.