Wife Almost Got Scammed for Money, Gave Personal Details, Advice?

Souljarh on 10/10/2017 - 12:57
Last edited 10/10/2017 - 13:44 by 1 other user

Hi all,

My wife got a call from someone claiming to be from Centrelink. They asked for her name DOB and address to "confirm" her details, before proceeding.
She gave her details to them, and got suspicious when they started to claim we own Centrelink money and we need to pay now. She did not give them any credit card details.

I cannot think of anything to do other than be more vigilant in the future. Can you guys think of anything? What is the worst they can do with those information and how may we prevent it?

Thanks

Financial

Comments

  • tsunamisurfer on 10/10/2017 - 13:15
    +29

    Yes. Change wife.

    • Souljarh on 10/10/2017 - 15:02
      +2

      very happily married with a beautiful child, no thanks :)

      • theHMASfriendship on 10/10/2017 - 15:42
        +10

        … married with a … child

        I'm sorry to hear that

        • Kangal on 10/10/2017 - 15:47
          +1

          These things happen to the best of us….

      • Poolprouk on 10/10/2017 - 16:07
        +1

        so is your wife not beautiful also? you omitted that. I'm sure she is though :-)

        • garetz on 10/10/2017 - 16:51
          +1

          noone is perfect

  • loke on 10/10/2017 - 13:16

    Anything else tho support that it was a scam? Did they really ask specifically for CC details?

    I was on newstart a while ago and recently had to payback ~$100. I did get notification of that there were new online letter to view in mygov/centrelink online but never bothered to check.

    I got a random text out of the blue - turns out it was Dun and Bradstreet who sent a text msg with a number to callback on (remembered it being dodgy as there was no other detail to legitimise it). I ignored the text and later received a call from them.

    After that call I actually bothered to check online and just bpay'ed the money off

    • Souljarh on 10/10/2017 - 15:05

      Sorry was in a hurry typing up the post, question is not scam or not I checked mygov later. We do not own money.
      Question is that scammer have her name, DOB, mobile number and address, what is the worst that can happen and how can we prevent it?

      • MercSal on 10/10/2017 - 16:16

        You need to put a freeze on her consumer credit report.

        https://www.oaic.gov.au/individuals/privacy-fact-sheets/cred…

        The worst that can happen is someone can open accounts in her name, or access her accounts.

      • dcep on 10/10/2017 - 16:18

        info can be obtained from anywhere

        probably targeted approach since they already have certain info of her

        below just a possible scenario,

        All 3 billion yahoo acct. compromised
        if banking or paypal same password or answer to security questions then the only protection is 2-factor auth. aka SMS code
        if they know the mobile no, then they know the carrier then they can call the carrier for lost sim replacement, then they'll receive the SMS code from 2FA to access money transfer, etc.
        So if 1 day you found your mobile lost signal showing emergency calls only, then be aware you might be hacked.

      • [Deactivated] on 11/10/2017 - 18:16
        +1

        We do not own money.

        You've said "own money" twice now. The word you need is OWE.

        Owe and own have very different meanings. Just something you might want to learn for the future..

        • Souljarh on 11/10/2017 - 18:22
          +1

          thank you for pointing that out, I owe you one.

  • dcep on 10/10/2017 - 14:13
    +3

    after they called you, say nothing but you'll call them back on official phone number.

    • [Deactivated] on 10/10/2017 - 17:56

      I do this for all telco and banking calls.

      If you have money owing, they'll make sure you get the message via email or text.

      If they're selling, they'll blurt anyway.

      If it is an important call, they'll make an appointment with the office. If you do not have an office, you need not worry about receiving such calls.

      There's no one calling to confirm your details to give you money.

  • big1964 on 10/10/2017 - 14:35

    I got a phone call from them last week saying that i owed them money i just hung up!!!!
    I have no contact with them for over 5 yrs its just a scam!!

  • chumlee on 10/10/2017 - 14:43

    My wife got a call from centrelink about a year ago saying she owed money due to overpayment. My wife was suspicious and didn't speak with them. Few weeks later and after a few more calls turns out we were overpaid from year before

    Ask them to send you a letter outlining why you need to pay

  • shaybisc on 10/10/2017 - 16:02

    Many if not all legit outfits ask for confirmation by name dob and address. Not much a scammer could do with that.

  • Randxyz123 on 10/10/2017 - 19:44
    +1

    If someone from a company/ATO/Centrelink etc calls asking for money just say "sorry I'm <Insert excuse here>" can I call you back in 30 minutes" Normally I say I'm on the other line.

    Then call the company from their registered number off their website. If it's legit then do whatever it they want otherwise they'll say there's no record of us calling.

    Same with anyone like a bank, PayPal etc asking to verify your details… Never click on email links, go through PayPal/your bank.

    21st century security 101

  • Sage on 10/10/2017 - 20:00

    Well first logical thing to do would be to confirm whether it was a scam, contact Centrelink to see if she does actually have a debt.
    Updated the first post if this is known.

  • Word on 11/10/2017 - 02:33
    +1

    Best advice:

    Send me your credit card details and account information and I'll do a quick check to see if any of your accounts have been compromised.

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