The Customer Owned Banking Association (COBA) is urging Australians to be on the alert for scammers taking advantage of the fuel crisis through a number of sophisticated phishing scams.
“Scammers are often trying to lure victims through the promise of relief or the threat of added costs. You should be particularly wary of unsolicited offers for significant fuel discounts or ‘fuel rebates’ that require you to provide the credit card details used at the pump to receive money back,” advised COBA’s Head of Financial Crimes and Cyber Resilience Martin Latimer.
He also urges Australians to be suspicious of text messages or emails that claim delivery or toll fees have increased due to rising fuel costs. In this scenario, the recipient is told their package is held up or their account is restricted until a small ‘fuel surcharge’ is paid via a provided link. While the requested amount is often negligible, the true goal is to capture your payment information once you enter it into their spoofed portal.
“While the ways the scammers try to get you to act may vary, the underlying goal remains the same – the tactics have been designed to obtain your personal information, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details,” he said.
“Phishing scams are a constant threat, and the only way to truly protect yourself is to remain vigilant with any type of unsolicited contact.
“Legitimate companies will never reach out via an unsolicited text or email to ask for your passwords, credit card numbers, or sensitive data,” Latimer added.
If you receive a suspicious alert regarding a toll, fuel rebate, or delivery fee, do not click the link provided in the message. Instead, navigate independently to the company’s official website or use their verified mobile app.
It’s also recommended to always check the sender’s email address. While a message may look authentic, the actual email or phone number often fails to match the organisation’s official contact details.
“We are also expecting to see a rise in fraudulent ‘track the price of fuel’ websites. These platforms are often nothing more than digital traps designed to harvest personally identifiable information under the guise of helping you save money,” Latimer warned.
Phishing scams are designed to obtain your personal information or get you to click on malicious links. Always remember to Stop, Check, Protect.
If you have lost money as part of a phishing scam, immediately report the transaction(s) to your bank or financial institution and complete a report through ReportCyber.
Even if you’ve managed to avoid losing money to a phishing scam, reporting it is still crucial. By sharing your story, you contribute to protecting others and stopping these criminals. Report the scam to National Anti-Scam Centre – Scamwatch.