This article will assist you in identifying the difference between a scam or just spam callers, and what to do if you think you have received a scam.
A spam is unwanted activity on your services
A scam is an attempt to steal your personal information or money
If you think you’ve been scammed
What is spam vs a scam?
Spam
Spam is an unwanted electronic marketing message you receive, including by email, text or instant message (eg: SMS).
To be spam, the message must be commercial. That means it must contain one or more of the following:
- offers
- advertisements
- promotions.
Messages are not spam if they:
- have no advertisements
- are appointment or payment reminders
- notify you of a service or product fault
- are about a service you use.
Telemarketing calls are also not spam. Different rules apply to these. If you get unwanted calls or faxes, follow the advice on the Do Not Call Register.
Scam
Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between spam and a scam.
Scams target everyone. Scammers use stealth, surprise and clever tactics to get what they want, which may be your money or your personal details. No-one is too smart to be scammed.
But, there are things you can do to help spot—and stop—a phone scam. Scammers are very sophisticated, which can make a scam difficult to spot.
Scammers may:
- pretend to be from an organisation you trust and ask for your personal details in a call or a text
- say that you have won a prize or there’s money waiting for you
- use logos and copy real text messages to look legitimate
- disguise their number/s, to make it look like they’re calling from somewhere local
- call over and over, making it hard to ignore
- use ‘robocalls’ or recorded messages saying your internet will be disconnected and ask for payment or personal data
- lie and tell you stories, like your computer needs urgent attention
- act like it’s an emergency and tell you something bad will happen if you don’t click a link or call a number to check your details.
It’s probably a scam if:
- a call or text sounds too good to be true
- someone you don’t know has your personal details
- someone claiming to be your bank (or another institution that you trust) calls or texts you to ask for personal information or money
- you’re threatened or made to feel afraid
- someone asks to access your computer.
If you think you’ve been scammed, tell us immediately.
You will also need to make a report with Scamwatch.
You should immediately let Jet Interactive of scam activity, either with you as the receiver, or if you become aware of someone using your number.
We will inform our upstream carriers of the calls or messages that were identified as scam activity, and they will address this with the person who holds the telephone account for the number or service that contacted you (or spoofed your number).
It is a legal requirement in Australia for all registered Telecommunications providers to share usage information with each other to help combat the impact of scam activity in Australia.
This does not include your personal information, and these reports can be made anonymously.
Resources
For more information, please view the Australian Government resources below, which provide further assistance in identifying and managing spam and scam activity.
https://www.acma.gov.au/what-is-spam
https://www.acma.gov.au/dealing-with-spam
https://www.acma.gov.au/phone-scams
https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam
https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/protect-yourself/what-to-do-if-youve-been-scammed
https://www.accc.gov.au/about-us/publications/the-little-black-book-of-scams
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