The Computer Mechanic

OPTUS SCAM ALERT! Emails claiming to be from Optus are circulating. They want your credit card information for what is claimed to be an unpaid bill.

The ACMA has been receiving reports about emails with the subject line ‘We are unable to process your last payment’.

The fake emails are sophisticated and use a web address that looks like the real Optus website. The email contains a link to a fake ‘pay your bill’ page, which then asks for your credit card details.

The fake email and payment form are cunningly crafted to trick people. It’s important you check the legitimacy of email links to protect your personal information—use contact details you find through a legitimate source and not those contained in the suspicious message.

If you receive this scam email, delete it immediately.

More info about protecting yourself, visit Stay Smart Online at https://www.staysmartonline.gov.au/computers/protecting-your-email

More info about the ACMA’s role regulating commercial spam can be found at https://www.acma.gov.au/theacma/spam-education-and-awareness

🚨 SCAM ALERT 🚨 Watch out for this dodgy ‘Tax Refund Notification’ email asking you to verify your billing information.

• Don’t click anywhere in the email! It’s malicious and will take you to a fake ‘Tax Refund’ form designed to steal your personal details.
• Forward the email to us at [email protected]
• Delete it and don’t respond to the sender.

Warn your family and friends to beware of this scam and always be cautious when opening attachments or clicking links in emails. Check out our scam alerts page for more info: ato.gov.au/ScamAlerts

Has your password been hacked?

A recent data breach has resulted in over 700 million account passwords hacked. If your on the list below, we recommend that you change your password immediately.

Check if you have been hacked: https://haveibeenpwned.com

How to create a strong password (and remember it): https://www.howtogeek.com/195430/how-to-create-a-strong-password-and-remember-it/

Have I been pwned? Check if your email has been compromised in a data breach Have I been pwned? allows you to search across multiple data breaches to see if your email addresses has been compromised.