Safety Watch: ANZ phishing scam
We occasionally receive emails from vigilant members who’ve identified bogus emails claiming to be from Westnet or other organisations, prompting them to reply with personal information.
Emails such as these are known as phishing scams and involve cyber-criminals mass-emailing randomly, claiming to be someone they’re not and in the hope unsuspecting victims will take the bait.
We recently received a similar email claiming to be from ANZ Bank Australia, complete with official-looking email address and attachment. The email message reads:
“Your ANZ Bank Account is currently locked, and only after you download the attached form and verify your account information, the account will be unlocked and ready for use.”
When opening the email’s attachment, we see an ANZ-branded form prompting us to enter credit card details before the ‘account can be unlocked’. Of course, it’s just a crafty attempt to access the credit card details of unsuspecting victims:
Being an Internet Service Provider we’ve seen many emails just like this but for a fist-time recipient or someone who’s not particularly ‘net-savvy, it can be an easy trap to fall into.
Phishing scams come in many forms but just remember: generally speaking, if the information contained in a suspicious email looks too good to be true – it usually is.
One thing’s for sure, Westnet members will never be asked for credit card or payment information via email. If in doubt, jump on the phone to the organisation for reassurance – it could be the best phone call you ever make.
If you’re after some more information on phishing scams, there are plenty of helpful sites around to help you recognise a bogus email when you see it. Debunk or confirm shams with Hoax-Slayer or Snopes.com, learn from the experts at SCAMwatch and keep an eye on their SCAMwatch radar.
Posted by josh.nicholson