Members are advised to be on the alert for increasing scam activity and be alert to fake pop-up messages and phone calls offering Microsoft tech support.
These scammers often use scare tactics about non-existent or compromised computer or device security and other issues. This scam, more commonly known as a remote access scam, tricks people into gaining remote access to their computer or device to access their personal information including financial information and electronic banking security access codes.
We warn members to always be vigilant of any unexpected contact by any person or company (via any channel e.g. computer chat, email, text or phone call) offering tech support for their computer or device. Members should not permit these unexpected callers to access their computer or device under any circumstances and should seek independent professional tech support.
Members are reminded to always exercise care in using computers and devices, and avoid opening email or SMS links that may contain malicious software, or any other types of computer or device access requests.
Microsoft has issued information on how to protect yourself from these Microsoft tech support scams:
- Microsoft does not send unsolicited email messages or make unsolicited phone calls to request personal or financial information, or to provide technical support to fix your computer. If you didn't ask Microsoft, they won't call you to offer support.
- If a pop-up or error message appears with a phone number, don’t call the number. Error and warning messages from Microsoft never include a phone number.
- Microsoft will never ask that you pay for support in the form of cryptocurrency, like Bitcoin, or gift cards.
- Download software only from official Microsoft partner websites or the Microsoft Store. Be wary of downloading software from third-party sites, as some of them might have been modified without the author’s knowledge to bundle malware and other threats.
We would like to remind members to regularly visit the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) website Scamwatch which has information about the latest scams and how to protect yourself.
As always, our Member Service Team is here to help. If you think something is “not quite right” or believe you may have been scammed, please get in touch as soon as possible on 1300 688 825.
The Mutual Bank has a free magnet to keep on your fridge to help you stay Scam Aware. The handy checklist helps members deal with suspicious phone calls and can be collected from one from our branches – Dungog, East Maitland, Edgeworth, Maitland, Mayfield, Raymond Terrace and Rutherford.
