Ruqayyah Snyder
With the rise of scam calls, it has become increasingly important to be able to verify the legitimacy of a phone number. This is especially true in Australia, where scam calls have been targeting Australians in a variety of ways, including tax phone scams, COVID-19 scams, and financial investment scams. There are several ways to check a phone number in Australia, including using reverse phone lookup tools, government resources, and blocking spam calls. Additionally, individuals can take steps to manage their phone numbers and protect themselves from potential scams.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Managing phone numbers | Choose, keep, or transfer your number |
| Phone number lookup tools | Reverse Australia, Cybertrace's Scam Phone Number Lookup (SPNL) tool, Cybertrace's premium investigative tool |
| Features of lookup tools | Free, instant access to caller information, names, usernames, caller IDs, contact details, profile images, and social media accounts |
| Scams | Tax phone scams, COVID-19 scams, financial investment scams, technical support remote access scams, ACMA impersonation scam, remote access requests, end-of-financial-year tax scams |
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What You'll Learn
Reverse phone lookup tools
Reverse Australia is one such website. It provides a platform for users to report and search for suspicious phone numbers. Users can look up a number and find comments from other users detailing their experiences with the caller. For example, the number 0483 952 442 has been reported as a scam pretending to be from Australian immigration. Similarly, the number 0423 085 769 has been flagged as suspicious, with users advising others to take precautions when receiving calls from this number.
Reverseau is another website that offers a free reverse phone lookup service for Australian numbers. It provides information about the caller, such as whether they are a suspected scammer, a telemarketer, or a legitimate organisation. For instance, the number 02 8201 0086 has been reported as a suspected scam, while 02 4631 1519 belongs to a local health service.
InfoTracer is a website that provides a broader people search service, including reverse phone lookups for Australian numbers. While their initial searches are free, a membership is required to access a full search report. InfoTracer's people search can find information such as full names, addresses, relationships, jobs, phone numbers, and social media profiles.
IP Quality Score also offers a free reverse phone lookup tool that can be used to find the owner of a phone number, including cellular, landline, or VOIP lines. This tool can also reveal associated emails and addresses. Additionally, they provide a phone number validator tool to check if a phone number is real and currently active.
It is worth noting that some users have expressed concerns about the effectiveness of reverse phone lookup tools in the face of scam callers spoofing numbers. However, these tools can still provide valuable information and help protect against unwanted calls and potential scams.
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How to identify scam calls
Scam calls are a serious issue in Australia, with one in three reported scams happening over the phone and causing $141 million in losses last year. Scammers are often highly sophisticated, making their scams difficult to spot. They may disguise their phone number to appear local or impersonate a trusted organisation, such as a bank, government agency, or telecommunications provider. To protect yourself from scam calls, keep the following in mind:
Be Wary of Unknown Callers
Always be cautious about calls or texts from unknown numbers or those impersonating trusted brands or government agencies. Scammers may try to deceive you into thinking they are from a legitimate organisation by using company logos, copying text messages, or even spoofing their phone number to match a trusted contact.
Be Aware of Urgent Requests
Scammers often use high-pressure tactics to rush your decision-making. They may claim that there is an emergency or that you will miss out on a great opportunity if you don't act immediately. They might also pretend to be a family member or friend in need of money, creating a sense of urgency to exploit your emotions.
Verify the Caller's Identity
If you're unsure about the caller's identity, don't answer the call. Let it go to voicemail. If they leave a number, check that it matches the one listed on the organisation's website. It's safer to find the official contact information yourself rather than relying on the provided number.
Protect Your Personal Information
Never provide personal information, such as passwords, login details, banking information, or multi-factor authentication codes, to unknown callers. Be cautious even if the caller claims to be from a trusted organisation. A legitimate organisation will never pressure you to disclose sensitive information over the phone.
Beware of Links and Attachments
Do not click on links or attachments in text messages unless you are certain of the sender's identity. Scammers often send messages with links that lead to fake websites designed to steal your information or infect your device with malware. Always verify the sender's identity and the legitimacy of the link before clicking.
Report Scam Calls
If you receive a scam call, hang up immediately and report it to relevant authorities, such as Scamwatch, ReportCyber, or IDCARE. These organisations work to protect Australians from cybercrimes and can provide guidance on recovering from a scam. Additionally, registering your number with the Do Not Call Register can help reduce unsolicited telemarketing calls.
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Managing your phone number
Choosing Your Number: When selecting a new phone number, consider choosing one that is not easily guessable or sequential. Avoid numbers that contain easily identifiable patterns or sequences, as they may be more vulnerable to brute-force attacks.
Keeping Your Number Secure: Do not share your phone number publicly or with unknown individuals. Be cautious when providing your number online or on social media. Consider setting up a secondary number for situations where you are required to provide a phone number but do not feel comfortable giving out your primary one.
Transferring Your Number: If you wish to transfer your phone number to a new device or carrier, contact your current service provider to initiate the process. Each provider may have slightly different procedures, so be sure to follow their specific instructions.
Protecting Yourself from Scams: Scam phone calls and messages are unfortunately common. Utilize reverse phone lookup tools, such as the free Scam Phone Number Lookup (SPNL) tool offered by Cybertrace, to check if a number is potentially associated with fraudulent activity. Additionally, be cautious of calls or messages that create a sense of urgency, request personal information, or seem too good to be true.
Reporting Suspicious Activity: If you suspect that your phone number has been stolen or compromised, take immediate action. Contact your service provider and report the issue. You can also report suspicious numbers to organizations like Cybertrace, which can notify the relevant telecommunications provider to assess the reported number for malicious activity.
By proactively managing your phone number, you can enhance your privacy and security. Stay vigilant, utilize the available tools, and don't hesitate to report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities or organizations.
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Reporting scam numbers
If you have been a victim of a scam in Australia, there are several ways to report it. Scamwatch, a government resource, provides a form that you can fill out to report suspicious contact or activity. Your report will help authorities stop scammers and warn others. You can also call Scamwatch at 000 if you or someone else is in immediate danger.
Additionally, you can report a cybercrime or cyber security incident via ReportCyber. The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) also has a 24/7 hotline at 1300 CYBER1 (1300 292 371) to help all Australians affected by cyber incidents.
If you think your money or personal information has been stolen, it is important to tell your bank and phone company immediately. You can also contact your financial institution if you think your credit cards or bank account may be at risk. They may be able to close your account or stop a transaction.
Telstra, an Australian telecommunications company, also offers a scam-reporting service. You can forward SMS and MMS scam messages to 7226 (SCAM). This service is available to all customers on the Telstra network.
To protect yourself from phone and SMS scams, it is recommended to block callers, not answer calls from unknown numbers, and not to reply to or click on any links in text messages. Be cautious of messages or calls asking for personal information, such as passwords, login information, banking details, or sensitive information.
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Blocking scam numbers
If you are receiving scam calls on your mobile phone, there are several options available to help you block them. Scam calls are often from people pretending to be from well-known organisations or government agencies, asking for your financial details or remote access to your computer. They may also threaten to disconnect your phone service. It is important to never provide any personal information or follow directions to transfer money or provide remote access to your computer over the phone.
To block scam calls on your iPhone, you can turn on Silence Unknown Callers in your settings. This feature blocks phone numbers that you have never been in contact with and don't have saved in your contacts list. Calls from unknown numbers will be silenced and sent to your voicemail, and will appear in your recent calls list. You can also open the Phone app, hit Recents, and tap the Info icon next to the number you want to block, then choose Block this Caller > Block Contact. Additionally, you can download third-party apps that detect and block spam phone calls, such as Hiya, RoboKiller, TrueCaller, and Call Control.
If you are receiving scam calls on your landline, you can check with your carrier to see if they offer any features to cut down on spam calls. Some landline phones also come with built-in call blocking technology, or you can buy a separate call blocking device. You can also register your number with the FTC's Do Not Call Registry, although this may not stop scammers and disreputable telemarketers from calling.
To avoid getting scammed, it is recommended to only answer calls from numbers that you recognise or are expecting a call from. If a call is important, they will leave a message or contact you in another way. You can also arrange to call the company or agency back on a number that you have found yourself.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use a free Scam Phone Number Lookup (SPNL) tool such as the one provided by Cybertrace. This allows you to check phone numbers and assess the related risk.
By using a reverse phone lookup tool, you can find out information such as names, usernames, caller IDs, contact details, profile images, and social media accounts.
If you think someone has stolen your phone number, you can take steps to manage your number. You may be able to choose, keep, or transfer your number.
If you receive a scam call, you can report it to the relevant government agency or telecommunications provider. You can also block the number and delete any messages or voicemails left by the scammer.
In addition to using a reverse phone lookup tool, you can register your phone number with a "Do Not Call" list to reduce the number of unwanted calls you receive.
