

Update and change your passwords regularly.Never allow anyone remote access if you don't know them. This includes using strong passwords that are difficult to guess. Keep your phone, computer, and digital tools secure.No one from a bank or government agency will ever ask you for your personal or financial information over the phone or online. If you're unsure, ask questions and get details about the person's identity. Never give out your personal information to anyone you don't know.Donate directly through a reputable nonprofit's website instead of clicking on a link you receive by email or text. This provides an excellent opportunity for scammers to set up fake nonprofits, hospitals, and other organizations to collect funds. Many people like to donate to charitable causes to help with disaster relief. Scammers may pose as banks, debt collectors, or investors with offers designed to steal your financial information.

These scammers claim to issue updates and payments on behalf of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or local tax authorities. These sites offer face masks, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and other high-demand products that never arrive. Centers for Disease Control to offer cures, tests, or other COVID-19 information. More informationĮxplore SCAMwatch to find out more about scams that commonly target Australians.Scammers pose as health authorities like the World Health Organization and U.S. Report the matter via the report a scam page in SCAMwatch.
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Some sites may automatically download malicious software on to your computer. Instead, find your anti-virus vendor's contact details through an internet search.

The message is not addressed to a specified recipient, instead it is addressed to the 'account holder' or uses another generic title.The alert may request you to pass on the "warning" to "others in your address book" or "everyone you know".Scammers commonly use high pressure sales tactics to convince you to buy NOW!.You may be bombarded with pop-up alerts, even when you're not online.Fake anti-virus spyware programs often generate more "alerts" than the software made by reputable companies.If you are unsure whether it is a genuine warning, check the official virus page of your anti-virus vendor or ask a computer professional. Once your computer is infected, the scammer commonly gathers personal information to steal your identity or to sell it to other criminals.Īlthough the majority of anti-virus pop-up alerts are fake, there is an off-chance that you have received a legitimate virus warning. This scam aims to either charge you for bogus software and/or obtain your personal information. The software or "free scan" offered in pop-up alerts often doesn't work or actually infects your computer with the dangerous programs it is supposed to protect against. The pop-up advertisements aim to mimic genuine warning alerts generated by computer security software. Scammers often use the names of well-known companies that specialise in computer software to gain your trust. SCAMwatch warns consumers to be wary of fake anti-virus alerts. They commonly appear after you open an email attachment, download files, visit websites programmed to download malicious software or click on a pop-up advertisement. You may be one of the numerous people who have received similar pop-up alerts. "Warning-your computer is infected! System detected virus activities.
