The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is advising the Victorian community to be aware of a scam which tries to obtain personal and financial information over the phone.
“The scam is a concern because it is seeking to obtain personal and financial information purporting to be from, or representing, the ABS,” said ABS Chief Operating Officer Chris Libreri “The scam includes providing an official ABS contact number to make the call seem more legitimate”.
Mr Libreri explained that it is important for participants to know that when households or businesses are selected in ABS surveys, an initial approach letter is sent to explain the purpose of the survey and the reason for their selection.
“The ABS does not ask survey participants to provide, or confirm, bank account details or tax file numbers. Data collection activity is not outsourced and the ABS does not disclose the information collected to anyone as stipulated by the Census and Statistics Act,” said Mr Libreri.
Mr LIbreri urges that if you receive such a call, it is important that you hang up and verify if you have been contacted by a legitimate ABS officer on the ABS’ official contact number 1300 135 0701300 135 070.