Conroy issues warning to SMEs on phone scams

Communications minister Stephen Conroy has warned SMEs to watch out for an increased number of scam telephone calls targeting businesses.

He said in a statement released yesterday the number of scam phone calls reported to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Australian Communications and Media Authority have increased from about 200 per month to 2,000.

The calls themselves, according to the ACCC and ACMA, involve a number of different scenarios, including where a caller advises a person’s computer is infected with viruses and requests credit card details to fix any problems.

These callers also offer products, services or money under fake government grants, seek bank details to seek bank refunds or offer to place an individual’s number on the Do Not Call register for free – a scam Conroy says he is quite disturbed about.

“I am particularly concerned that some scammers are targeting the Do Not Call Register and suggesting consumers pay a fee to register their number. I would like to remind consumers that they can quickly and easily register their numbers on the Do Not Call Register for free,” he said.

He warns businesses to educate themselves about these scams, and warns they should never disclose any financial information that would put themselves or their business in danger.

“If people are targeted by a scam telephone call they should never disclose any personal or financial details and they should immediately hang up the phone,” he said.

“I would also encourage people to report the scam so that the ACCC and ACMA can investigate and take action against those responsible.”