Identifying the Scam Behind 0480 003 197
Recently, the phone number 0480 003 197 / 0480003197 has attracted attention for being associated with a fraudulent scheme. Users have reported receiving alarming calls from this number, falsely claiming to be from the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) security team. These scammers typically inform unsuspecting individuals that a significant sum of money has been withdrawn from their accounts and transferred overseas.
Understanding the Nature of the Scam
The call received by an individual on 06 June 2022 exemplifies a common tactic used by scammers to instil fear and urgency. The caller mentioned a withdrawal of $500 without any real context, manipulative tactics that aim to extract personal information or financial data from the recipient. When the recipient revealed that they did not possess an account with CBA, the caller quickly terminated the call, indicative of the scammers' lack of genuine business intent.
How to Handle Such Calls
If you receive a call from 0480 003 197 / 0480003197 or a similar number, it's essential to keep calm and employ best practices to protect yourself:
- Do not engage: Avoid providing any personal or financial information during the call.
- Verify: Hang up and contact CBA through their legitimate customer service channels to check for any suspicious activity on your account.
- Report: If you suspect the call to be fraudulent, report the number to the authorities or use resources like Reverseau to perform a reverse phone lookup.
Be Cautious and Stay Informed
Scam calls like the one associated with 0480 003 197 / 0480003197 are increasingly common, targeting unprepared individuals. By being informed about these tactics, Australians can protect themselves and their finances. Always practice caution with unfamiliar numbers and utilize trusted platforms like Reverseau for identifying mysterious callers.