When we talk about fraudulent account access, we mean when someone gets into your phone or internet account without your permission and uses it for harm.
How to protect your account from fraudsters
Fraudsters can try to access your phone or internet account to make changes or take your information. These tips can help you keep your account secure and know what to do if something doesn’t look right.
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Make your phone or internet account as secure as possible
Use strong passwords. Never use the same password for multiple accounts. Consider using password management software instead of storing them in text.
Ask your provider about the availability of extra security. One example is Multi-Factor Authentication.
Limit the amount of personal information available in the public domain
Put your social media on private, so personal information about you cannot be viewed by the public.
Lock your mailbox to reduce the chances of bills or other letters containing your personal information being stolen.
Make sure you’re really speaking with your provider
- If someone calls you offering you a deal that seems too good to be true, consider ending the call, looking up your provider’s phone number, and calling directly to enquire about the deal.
- Familiarise yourself with how your provider normally communicates with you, so you can know what to look out for.
- Sometimes SMSs and emails from fraudsters may have spelling and grammar errors, unfamiliar links, or strange formatting.
- Other times, they may look genuine and even include company logos, but may ask for information that the real company would not ask for.
If you’re unsure if you are speaking to your provider...
hang up and contact your provider directly. Most providers do not call you to ask for one-time codes that have been sent to you.
Report any strange activity to your provider immediately
If your provider sends you a notification saying you have changed your account details or made a new order, and you did not authorise any changes, this could mean someone recently attempted to fraudulently access your account.
Contact your provider as soon as possible.
What to do if you think you’ve fallen victim to fraudulent account access
Report the fraud to your local police, IDCare, and your provider.
If money has been taken from your bank account, contact your bank.
If products or services have been added to your phone or internet account, contact your provider.
Further information about hacking, identity theft, phishing, and remote access scams can be found in ScamWatch.
Resources
Find more information about scams, account security and what to do if you’ve been affected. These links can connect you with trusted support services.
ScamWatch
ScamWatch is run by the National Anti-Scam Centre to collect reports about scams to help us warn others and to take action to stop scams.
They also provide up-to-date information to help you spot and avoid scams.
IDCARE
IDCARE is a free service that helps people deal with scams, identity theft and cyber issues. They help you understand what’s happened and what to do next.
Review your email account security
The Australian Cyber Secuirty Centre has tips to help with your email security.