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Category: Consumer Protection

Tech support scams fleece $400,000 from West Australians

Monday, 16 May 2016 17:05:16

Victims give scammers remote access to their computers. (ABC)

Tech support scammers have fleeced West Australians of almost $400,000 so far this year.

Acting Consumer Protection commissioner David Hillyard said despite an increase in public awareness, the number of incidents was continuing to rise.

"More and more people are falling victim to this and, once [the scammers are] onto a good thing, they're sticking to it," he said.

The scam involves the victims giving people who claim to technical support officers remote access to their computers.

The scammers then ask the victims to log on to their online bank account before syphoning money from the account.

Mr Hillyard said consumers needed to be vigilant when contacted by people claiming to be tech support officers.

"Don't be fooled by random calls," he said.

Consumer Protection is aware of 36 people so far this year who have lost money in this type of scam, compared to 25 people for the same period last year.

AustraliaPlus


 

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