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National Broadband Network (NBN) Scams

NBNNBN scam warning

Ignore calls claiming you need to immediately connect to the National Broadband Network or face disconnection.

With the rollout of the NBN broadband access network well underway in Western Australia it is important residents and businesses are aware that scams are attempted from time to time. 

WA ScamNet has received several reports about the scam calls and NBN Co has issued a media release warning consumers not to respond or provide personal information to unsolicited callers or door knockers.

According to reports to WA ScamNet, an unsolicited call is received with a robotic voice claiming the call is from the NBN Co. The caller advises that as the NBN is available in the area your phone and internet will be disconnected within the next 24 hours unless connected now. You then get the option to press 1 to be connected to a technician.

Upon pressing 1, you are transferred to a call centre. While none of the people who reported receiving the call went past this point,  you could potentially become a victim of ID theft if you provide personal information, lose your money if you agree to make a payment or possibly get charged a premium fee for the call.

Advice from NBN Co:

  • Residents and businesses should be aware that NBN Co will never make unsolicited calls or door knock to sell broadband services. NBN Co is the company building and operating Australia’s wholesale broadband network and as a wholesale-only company, it does not sell broadband packages directly to residents or businesses.
  • If something seems suspicious, NBN Co urges people to contact their phone or internet provider.
  • Once the NBN access network is switched on in an area, residents and businesses have 18 months to contact a phone or internet provider to order an NBN powered plan before most existing landline phone and internet services are disconnected.  This is to ensure people have time to speak to their preferred provider to discuss their individual needs for internet speeds and usage.

Tips to avoid scammers:

  • Always ask yourself whether the person or business that’s contacted you out of the blue is who they say they are.
  • Verify the identity of the contact through an independent source. Don’t use the contact details provided by the caller or in the message sent to you.
  • Never send money, give your banking or credit card details or other personal information to anyone you don’t know or trust, and never by email or over the phone.
  • Know that a government agency or trusted business will never ask you to pay them with gift or store cards, iTunes cards, wire transfers or bitcoin.
  • Never give anyone remote access to your computer if they’ve contacted you unexpectedly – whether through a phone call, pop up window or email.
  • Keep personal information secure online - change passwords often, don’t give credit card details to websites that aren’t secure, do not send copies of passports/drivers licenses to third parties that you did not contact yourself.

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