Telstra says scammers AI to mimic Australian slang in texts

Telstra have revealed the latest trick in the scammer's playbook - using AI to mimic dinky-di Aussie lingo. Or, at least, try to.

"While we use AI to help protect our network and our customers, scammers also like to use generative AI tools to produce highly personalised messages," Telstra said, providing a screenshot of an example they had spotted (pictured).

Telstra also reported scam messages were most likely to be sent on Friday and Saturday - though every day of the week was a possibility.

Telstra customers can report a scam to the telco by forwarding the offending message to "7226", or by using the "report junk" feature on an Apple device.

People can also report scams to the ACCC's Scamwatch online.

Telstra is warning customers about a scam text message claiming their Telstra points are about to expire.

The company said the first indication the text is not legitimate is the incorrect spelling of Telstra.

"The wording a scammer uses might change from one text to another, which is why we all need to remain vigilant," the company said.

"Unfortunately, Telstra – like other well-known brands - are often impersonated in this way."

Victoria Police is warning customers to be aware of fake emails claiming to be from Australia Post.

This email might look real, but Australia Post will never call, text or email asking for personal or financial information, including passwords, credit card details or account information, or to request a payment.

Scamwatch has issued a warning about false "PayID" emails targeting Australians.

"If you receive an email from PayID it's a scam," they said on X.

As Scamwatch pointed out, PayID is managed through banks, and does not contact users directly.

Anybody who receives one of these emails is being urged to delete it.

Australians are warned to keep an eye out for maybe the most tempting scam to hit inboxes yet.

The National Anti Scam Centre said on X that people were receiving emails purporting to be from Bunnings and offering a $500 gift card.

But, NASC warned, "this is a scam".

People are urged to not click on the link and to report the phishing email to Scamwatch.

The HSBC Australia Bank has warned scammers are targeting its customers through a series of scam calls and texts.

The calls and text are sent from a number that claims to be HSBC and appear valid, but ultimately scam customers into sharing their banking information over the phone.

The scam texts and calls claim hackers are attempting to gain access to a customer's account, and asks victims to call a number.

The bank has warned customers that the number is a fake one used by scammers in an attempt to access account details.

The scammers then ask for a username, personal details and bank codes in order to gain access to a victim's account.

The bank has urged its customers to never provide online banking passwords, one-time security codes, pine or token to anyone over the phone.

The Commonwealth Bank is urging customers to be on the lookout for new scam texts circulating in 2024.

The latest con involves scammers posing as Commbank to issue a fake "security alert".

The text message includes a link which asks customers to secure their account.

Commonwealth Bank has urged customers not to click the link and to delete the message immediately.

Cyber crime detectives are warning shoppers to be on the lookout for scams this Friday, sharing some essential advice to avoid being duped.

Victoria Police said the National Anti-Scam Centre had noted a "significant increase" in reports of dodgy sites impersonating genuine retailers.

This year alone, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has already received more than 2760 reports of fake stores ripping Australians off to the tune of more than $500,000.

They can be convincing, with fake logos, designs and layouts designed to mimic the real deal.

Police warned they would even include a .com.au domain name, a stolen ABN and pay for good placement in Google search results.

Victoria Police Cybercrime Squad Detective Sergeant John Cheyne said the websites could look "almost identical" to the genuine brand".

"Always check that the website is secure – all official websites will use 'https' to ensure an encrypted connection between the retailer and the customer. If you're unsure, type the full company URL into the address bar yourself," he said.

"Be very cautious of phishing messages with embedded links to sales which can come via text message, social media or email. Look for typos or inconsistencies in the link itself. If you're unsure, always type the company's web address in yourself."

A website using a non-secure payment method is a "sure sign of a scam", according to the detective.

"Never complete bank or international transfers, money orders or pay via pre-loaded gift cards or cryptocurrency like Bitcoin," he said.

"Always look for secure payment method options such as a credit or debit card option or PayPal.

"And if something looks too good to be true, it probably is. Some scam websites will advertise the same product as the genuine brand but at a much lower price point. 

"Slow down and consider the legitimacy of something that looks too remarkable."

People scrolling through online search results and social media have been urged to avoid clicking on "sponsored" advertisements from unknown sources.

Scamwatch said this particular pop-up ad for popular Frank Green water bottles directed anybody who clicked it to a scam website.

"Remember huge discounts are a red flag," Scamwatch wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

"Resist the urge to click."

If you receive a text from what appears to be myGov claiming your tax refund has been automatically processed - don't fall for it.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's Scamwatch said "these are scam messages", designed to swindle you out of your hard-earned money.

"Watch out for messages appearing to be from myGov claiming your tax return has been processed," it said.

"Ignore, delete, and block.".

The warning comes at the start of the new financial year.

A part-time job worth $70-$150 an hour for just a couple of hours work at a time.

It sounds too good to be true right? That's because it is.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's Scamwatch is warning job hunters to steer clear of offers from so-called "recruiters" offering "jobs that pay very well for doing little work".

The latest "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is" warning was sparked by a text message offering what sounds like the dream job for someone who doesn't have much time to work but needs some decent money.

"The work is very easy, you only need to work for 1-2 hours at a ime and you can get work permits at least 6 times a week," the scammer said.

"Working hours are up to you."

The first clue to something a bit fishy should have come from the sender's name, "Bruced-in", but Scamwatch warned people to be suspicious of any offers of this type.

"Ignore, delete, and block the messages," the consumer body said, on Twitter.

People are urged to be aware of a new scam doing the rounds as the country approaches the end of the financial year.

Scamwatch posted this example on Twitter of a fraudulent text purporting to be from the Australian Taxation Office, asking the recipient to click on a link for an "important message".

"The ATO will never send you a link to log in to online services by text message," Scamwatch said.

ACCC's Scamwatch has alerted Aussies about convincing bank impersonation scams.

"Watch out for bank impersonation text messages stating a payment has been authorised and prompting you to call a number if it wasn't you," it said.

"Never call a number sent to you in text or email, always search your bank's real number yourself.

A new alert has been issued to Aussies at risk of being duped by complex scams.

Scamwatch has reminded people to be extra vigilant when opening text messages that appear to be legitimate but are actually hackers in disguise.

"Scammers can spoof Sender IDs of businesses or common contacts such as 'Mum' or 'Dad' to make a text seem to come from a genuine source," the watchdog said on Twitter.

"Don't trust a text just because it shows in a previous thread & look for variations in the Sender ID like dots, special characters or numbers."

Police have issued a warning over a new scam involving cryptocurrency 'wallets' which they say are being scattered on streets and in parks around New South Wales.

NSW Police say they've have reports of people being scammed out of cash by falling for a trick left in small paper 'cryptocurrency wallets' they've found.

But if the finder picks it up, thinking it might be worth something, and scans the code with their phone, they could see their bank account emptied, police say.

Read more about this scam here.

A scam text telling mothers their son or daughter has dropped their phone down the toilet and asks them to save a new number has been circulating.

The scammer will then go on to ask for money to be sent, with the receiver duped into believing it's from their offspring.

Scamwatch warned a few months ago of a rise in the infamous "Hi Mum" scams.

"These requests continue the ruse of a lost or broken phone with the justification that the funds are needed because they can't access their online banking temporarily," Scamwatch, said.

More than 1,150 Australians fell victim to them in the first seven months of this year, with total reported losses of $2.6 million.

Drivers are being warned not to fall for a scam text relating to road tolls.

The text, which comes from a random mobile number, warns people they have not paid a toll.

When they click the link to takes them to a website which appears to be the toll company, Linkt.

But it's likely to steal their information if they enter details.

The website looks like the Linkt website, compete with the green logo.

But its not.

The official website is www.linkt.com.au.

Kath and Kim star Magda Szubanski warned of the scam on Twitter.

"If you get random text from Linkt DO NOT CLICK!! It's a faarking SCAM The site looks incredibly legit! Just spoke to the bank and they said heaps of people been sucked in," she said.