A new scam in Lithgow trying to separate residents from their bank accounts

A woman with an assertive tone and a 'local' accent has been calling repeatedly until answered and claims to be from the telephone provider.

Worryingly the caller knows the name of the account holder, possibly from the phone book, and 'requires' information update.

But the giveaway is when the caller asks if the partner is at home and if not then claims the partner had called the previous day 'seeking connection with the Do Not Call' register.

The intended victim is then told the caller has the first four numbers of the family Visa debit or credit cards and asks for the final three to 'update the account'.

The advice is to hang up immediately and report the call to your financial institution.

SCAMWATCH gives the following advice to avoid becoming a victim of a scam:

Protect yourself

Hang up: If you receive a phone call out of the blue from someone claiming to be a representative of an organisation and their call relates to a problem with something requiring personal details, just hang up.

Verify their details: If you have doubts about the identity of any caller who claims to represent a business, organisation or government department, contact the body directly. Don't rely on contact details provided by the person - find them through an independent source such as a phone book or online search.

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They can call private numbers: Even if you are listed on the Australian Government's Do Not Call Register, scammers can obtain your number fraudulently or from anywhere it has been publicly listed.

Don't let scammers press your buttons: Scammers use detailed scripts to convince you that they're the real deal and create a high pressure situation to make a decision on the spot.

Update computer security: Always keep your computer security up to date with anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and a good firewall. Only buy computer and anti-virus software from a reputable source. If you think your computer's security has been compromised, use your security software to run a virus check. If you still have doubts, contact your anti-virus software provider or a computer specialist.

Keep details private: Never give your personal, credit card or online account details over the phone unless you made the call and the phone number came from a trusted source.

Don't give access: Never give a stranger remote access to your computer, even if they claim to be from a reputable business.

Been scammed? If you think you have provided your account details to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately.

Report: If you have lost money as a result of this type of scam please report the matter to your local police station. You can also report scams to the ACCC via SCAMWATCH or report a scam page or by calling 1300 795 995

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