ASIC warns customers about scam emails

Photo: LeapRate

Some customers continue to receive emails claiming to be from ASIC, containing attachments or links to fake invoices. These fake emails appear similar to ASIC emails and generally instruct the recipient to click on a link or download an invoice.

Scammers use a variety of deceptive methods to elicit payments, spread software viruses, install spyware or malware programs to access or steal personal information.

ASIC Commissioner John Price said, 'It is always important to be wary of unsolicited emails that demand payment or contain suspicious attachments or links, especially if you have never dealt with the organisation they are from.'

An email will not be from ASIC if it asks you:

• to make a payment over the phone
• to make a payment to receive a refund
• for your credit card or bank details directly by email or phone
• to download software to your electronic device

and is probably a scam.

To help protect yourself online, you should: 

• keep all anti-virus, malware and spyware protection software current
• avoid clicking on any suspicious links
• ensure you have a firewall and it is up-to-date; and
• scan email attachments with security software before opening them - especially if they are executable (.exe) files or zip (.zip) files. These files are more likely to contain malware or ransomware viruses.

Anyone unsure about the authenticity of an email, can visit the ASIC website for more information, at www.asic.gov.au/asic-scams

ASIC's MoneySmart website has some great tips about protecting yourself from online scams at moneysmart.gov.au/scams

Anyone affected by a scam can report it to the ACCC via the Scamwatch 'Report a scam' page.