Scammers Got the Lot

Hi Scott,

My daughter recently clicked on a text message from scammers saying they were from ANZ. She entered her login details and gave the scammers full access to her account. I’m worried about what will happen next. I’ve googled it a bit and have seen that scammers can change your postal address and steal your identity. Is there anything my husband and I can do to help her work through this and protect her from what they might do with her info?

Kellie

Hi Kellie,

Grab your phone. Grab your daughter. Dial 1800 595 160.

That’s the number for IDCARE, Australia’s national identity and cyber support service. Their hotline is manned by specialist identity and cybersecurity counsellors who will give your daughter free advice.

Tell your daughter not to beat herself up too much. These things happen a lot. In fact, 2.1 million Aussies experienced one or more types of personal fraud in 2021, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Yet, shockingly, only half of those who experienced a scam said they reported it to an authority.

Don’t let them get away with it!

Scott.