Save
COVID-19 not the only virus going around
With a large number of Australians now confined mostly to their homes, a lawyer is warning that predatory cyber scammers are very active right now.
COVID-19 not the only virus going around
With a large number of Australians now confined mostly to their homes, a lawyer is warning that predatory cyber scammers are very active right now.
EAGLEGATE Lawyers’ principal Nicole Murdoch has flagged scammers are targeting common vulnerabilities at this time: From job seekers with fake job advertisements to bogus links to official coronavirus information websites, or even accessing superannuation.
The lawyer is warning that cyber criminals “thrive” on disorder and panic.
“They regard the upheavals caused by the coronavirus shutdowns as a magic time for them to strike as people adjust to working from home, or trawl the net looking for entertainment or distractions,” she outlined.
She is warning people not to let down their guard, despite it being “very strange times”.
She has cited a report from the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), which is alerting Australians to the rise in cyber criminals based across the world who are launching COVID-19-themed malicious cyber activity.
A key concern for the agency is cyber criminals who are looking to prey on businesses attempting to transition to a remote workforce, according to the ACSC’s acting head, Karl Hanmore.
Fake job advertisements are asking job seekers to provide licence details for identity theft, or SMS and email messages are being used to “fleece” unsuspecting people.
Mr Hanmore said the ACSC is seeing “a whole bunch of” requests that ask people to “click a link”.
“Their day job is to steal money and they do that with sending SMSs or email messages that will look fairly official and asking you to click a link.”
“Click a link to learn more about the coronavirus, click a link and then download a file so that you can update a form to get free money from the government - also a scam,” he has highlighted.
From Ms Murdoch’s perspective, it’s crucial Australians are suspicious of any SMS or email messages that you receive from people you don’t know.
“It’s all about stealing your banking details to hack into your account and drain your money,” she said.
“Clicking on unknown links, could redirect your phone or computer to a website where nasty predators will download malware, or a computer virus, onto your phone or PC.”
The lawyer said cyber criminals are also targeting superannuation, by offering to “assist” you to access the funds.
“In reality, they are only assisting themselves,” she added.
“Do not simply open or download apps or files that may be unfamiliar to you. If there’s any doubt at all, go to the official website for the organisation and see if you can verify the authenticity of a message,” she urged.
“We are all going through a lot at present and we don’t need the added stress of having to deal with theft,” Ms Murdoch concluded.
The lawyer’s warning comes after a recent warning was sounded by the ACCC as to the rising number of cold calls offering to facilitate the early access to super.
https://www.nestegg.com.au/save-money/scams/super-scammers-get-latest-kick-from-cold-calls
RELATED ARTICLES
About the author
About the author
Scams
Trend Micro forecasts a new era of AI-driven scams by 2026
In a comprehensive report released today, cybersecurity leader Trend Micro Incorporated warns that 2026 will mark a significant turning point in the evolution of scams, driven by artificial ...Read more
Scams
Australians urged to stay vigilant as holiday scammers ramp up activity
As the festive season approaches, Australians are being warned to be on high alert for a surge in scam activities. With the increase in online shopping, travel bookings, and holiday preparations, ...Read more
Scams
Scam alert: Trend Micro warns Aussies to be vigilant as Black Friday approaches
As Australians prepare to dive into Black Friday shopping, cybersecurity firm Trend Micro has issued a stark warning about a surge in scam activities targeting eager consumers. According to a recent ...Read more
Scams
Economic stress leaves Australians vulnerable to job and financial scams
As Australians brace for the holiday season, a significant increase in job and financial scams is raising alarms. New findings from global cybersecurity leader Trend Micro Incorporated reveal that ...Read more
Scams
AI-driven investment scams explode: Millions of fraudulent sites blocked, billions lost
In an alarming trend that has caught the attention of cybersecurity experts worldwide, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in investment scams has surged dramatically. Between March and October ...Read more
Scams
From awareness to accountability: Banks turn scam prevention into a core P&L discipline
Scam Awareness Week is the headline, but the real story is a structural shift: fraud prevention is moving from compliance footnote to board-level performance driver. ANZ’s 15% reduction in scam losses ...Read more
Scams
Inside ANZ’s $100m scam‑fight playbook: how banks can turn awareness into prevention
Public-service messaging won’t stop modern scammers. Australia’s banks are moving from posters to prevention, blending AI, network controls and customer friction to change outcomes. ANZ’s program ...Read more
Scams
ANZ warns Australians to stay alert for scams during end of financial year
ANZ is warning customers to remain vigilant during the end of financial year period as scammers attempt to target Australians during tax time. Read more
Scams
Trend Micro forecasts a new era of AI-driven scams by 2026
In a comprehensive report released today, cybersecurity leader Trend Micro Incorporated warns that 2026 will mark a significant turning point in the evolution of scams, driven by artificial ...Read more
Scams
Australians urged to stay vigilant as holiday scammers ramp up activity
As the festive season approaches, Australians are being warned to be on high alert for a surge in scam activities. With the increase in online shopping, travel bookings, and holiday preparations, ...Read more
Scams
Scam alert: Trend Micro warns Aussies to be vigilant as Black Friday approaches
As Australians prepare to dive into Black Friday shopping, cybersecurity firm Trend Micro has issued a stark warning about a surge in scam activities targeting eager consumers. According to a recent ...Read more
Scams
Economic stress leaves Australians vulnerable to job and financial scams
As Australians brace for the holiday season, a significant increase in job and financial scams is raising alarms. New findings from global cybersecurity leader Trend Micro Incorporated reveal that ...Read more
Scams
AI-driven investment scams explode: Millions of fraudulent sites blocked, billions lost
In an alarming trend that has caught the attention of cybersecurity experts worldwide, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in investment scams has surged dramatically. Between March and October ...Read more
Scams
From awareness to accountability: Banks turn scam prevention into a core P&L discipline
Scam Awareness Week is the headline, but the real story is a structural shift: fraud prevention is moving from compliance footnote to board-level performance driver. ANZ’s 15% reduction in scam losses ...Read more
Scams
Inside ANZ’s $100m scam‑fight playbook: how banks can turn awareness into prevention
Public-service messaging won’t stop modern scammers. Australia’s banks are moving from posters to prevention, blending AI, network controls and customer friction to change outcomes. ANZ’s program ...Read more
Scams
ANZ warns Australians to stay alert for scams during end of financial year
ANZ is warning customers to remain vigilant during the end of financial year period as scammers attempt to target Australians during tax time. Read more
More articles
OUR PLATFORMS AND BRANDS
EVENTS AND SUMMITS
- ACE25 The Accounting Conference and Exhibition
- Australian Accounting Awards
- Australian AI Awards
- Australian Aviation Awards
- Australian Aviation Summit
- Australian Broking Awards
- Australian Cyber Awards
- Australian Cyber Summit
- Australian Defence Industry Awards
- Australian Law Awards
- Australian Law Forum
- Australian Space Awards
- Australian Space Summit
- Better Business Awards
- Better Business Summit
- Broker Innovation Awards
- Broker Innovation Summit
- Budget Summit
- Corporate Counsel Summit
- Defence & National Security Workforce Awards
- Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 Awards
- Commerical Finance Awards
- New Broker Academy
- Partner of the Year Awards
- Partner Summit
- REB Awards
- Rising Star Awards
- SME Bootcamp
- Women in Finance Awards
- Women in Finance Summit
- Women in Law Awards
- Women in Law Forum
PODCASTS
- Accountants Daily Podcast Network
- Australian Aviation Podcast Network
- Broker Daily Podcast Network
- Defence Connect Podcast Network
- HR Leader Podcast Network
- REB Podcast Network
- Space Connect Podcast
- The Adviser Podcast Network
- The ifa Show
- The Lawyers Weekly Show
- The Smart Property Investment Show
LEARNING AND EDUCATION
MOMENTUM MARKETS NETWORK
STAY CONNECTED
Make your nest egg grow. Register now for nestegg updates.