How the Government is moving to detect, trace and block scam calls

Have you been targeted by scammers this year? You’re not alone.

Australians have lost almost $36 million to scam calls in 2020 so far. Even the Federal Communications Minister himself has received one. “Just about everyone has experienced them, I certainly have,” Paul Fletcher said.

So, what are the main types of scams?

1. The ATO scam

2. Wangiri scam calls

3. International scam calls

This year, the Government has been focused on tackling three major scams. Let’s take a look at what they involve.

What’s being done about it?

ACMA has registered new rules that require telcos to publish information to help Australians manage and report scam calls, share information about those calls with other telcos and also report identified scam calls to authorities. If they don’t, they can face penalties of up to $250,000.

The rules are part of a ‘Combating Scams Action Plan’ that has been in place for over a year, and Mr Fletcher said under that plan, the major telcos had so far blocked over 30 million scam calls. 

What else can you do about it?

There are steps you can personally take to protect yourself from scammers:

1.  If you get a call from a number you don’t recognise, don’t answer it

      2. If you receive a call from an international number that only rings once before stopping — don’t call back

      3.  Don’t ever let someone take control of your computer

      4.  Don’t ever send money in response to a call or a text message

      5.  If you think you’ve been the subject of a scam — immediately report it at www.scamwatch.gov.au