The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the National Anti-Scam Centre have issued a warning to Australians regarding a rise in phone scams. Scammers are reportedly using spoofed phone numbers that appear to belong to the ACCC, aiming to deceive individuals into providing sensitive personal information.

In various incidents, these scammers have posed as ACCC representatives, requesting confidential details over the phone. Some have even misused the ACCC acronym to impersonate unrelated organizations, communicating in languages other than English. The ACCC emphasizes that they do not make calls from their official reception numbers, and any such calls should be treated with suspicion.

ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe explained that spoofing allows scammers to disguise their true identity, making it easier to trick individuals into sharing personal information. She advised the public to trust their instincts and hang up if a call feels suspicious. The ACCC and the National Anti-Scam Centre will never initiate contact to request personal information, such as passwords or bank details, and do not charge for their services.

Individuals receiving suspicious calls are urged to refrain from providing any personal information and to report such incidents. The National Anti-Scam Centre encourages Australians to be cautious of urgent requests and to verify the authenticity of any communication before acting. They recommend a three-step approach: STOP, CHECK, and PROTECT to avoid falling victim to scams.