How To Identify And Avoid Tech Scams In Melbourne

Running a small business in Melbourne is a demanding job.

Between managing staff, serving clients, and keeping the books balanced, your plate is already full.

The last thing you need is a cybercriminal trying to swindle you out of your hard-earned money and compromise your sensitive data.

Yet, tech scams are a booming industry, and Australian businesses are their prime target.

The ACCC reported that Australian businesses lost over $229 million to scams in 2024, a figure that continues to climb.

These aren’t just minor annoyances; they are sophisticated attacks designed to exploit the trust and busy schedules of business owners just like you.

This guide is your frontline defence. We’ll dive deep into the murky waters of modern tech scams, equipping you with the knowledge to identify, avoid, and recover from them.

With the right strategy and a trusted local partner like Mr. IT, you can build a digital fortress around your business.

What Are Tech Scams and Why Are They Targeting Australian Business Owners

At its core, a tech scam is any form of fraud that uses technology as its primary tool.

The scammer’s goal is to trick you into giving them money, sensitive business or personal information, or access to your computer systems.

They prey on fear, urgency, and a lack of technical knowledge.

But why the focus on businesses? The answer is simple: that’s where the money is.

A successful attack on a business yields a much higher payday than on an individual. Scammers know that businesses handle larger financial transactions, store valuable customer data, and cannot afford significant downtime.

This makes them a lucrative and highly motivated target.

Here are some of the most common tech scams currently hitting Melbourne businesses:

• Impersonation Scams: Scammers call or email pretending to be from a well-known organisation like Microsoft, Telstra, the NBN, or even the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). They’ll claim there’s a problem with your account, your internet, or your computer that requires immediate attention.
• Business Email Compromise (BEC): This is a particularly nasty scam where criminals hack into an email account to impersonate a key person, like the CEO or a supplier. They then send fraudulent invoices or request urgent fund transfers to a bank account they control.
• Ransomware Attacks: Often disguised as a harmless file or a scary “virus alert” pop-up, ransomware encrypts all the files on your computer or network, making them inaccessible. The scammers then demand a hefty ransom, usually in cryptocurrency, for the decryption key.
• Fake IT Support Pop-ups: These are alarming messages that appear in your web browser, often with loud noises and flashing warnings, claiming your computer is infected with viruses. They provide a phone number to call for “support,” which connects you directly to the scammer.

How to Spot a Tech Scam Before It Hooks You

Vigilance is your best defence. Scammers rely on you acting quickly without thinking. By learning to recognise their tactics, you can stop them in their tracks.

The Unsolicited Contact: The Phone Rings, Should You Answer?

The scam often begins with an unexpected phone call.

The person on the other end will sound professional and use technical jargon to sound legitimate.

They’ll create a sense of extreme urgency, telling you that your business network has been compromised or that your IP address has been used for illegal activity.

The Golden Rule: Legitimate tech companies like Microsoft, Google, or Apple will never cold-call you about a technical problem with your device.

Your bank or the ATO will never call you to ask for your password or request that you install remote access software.

Your Action Plan:

• Don’t Engage: Do not confirm any personal or business details (not even your name or business name).
• Don’t Panic: Their goal is to make you afraid. Stay calm.
• Just Hang Up: It might feel rude, but it’s the safest and most effective action.

The Pop-Up Panic: “Your Computer is Infected!”

You’re browsing the web, and suddenly your screen is hijacked by a pop-up message screaming that your computer is riddled with viruses. It might be accompanied by a loud siren or a robotic voice repeating the warning.

This is pure scareware. The pop-up is just a cleverly designed image or webpage, and the “virus scan” it shows is fake.

The goal is to panic you into calling the toll-free number provided, connecting you straight to the scammer’s call centre.

Your Action Plan:

• Do NOT click anywhere on the pop-up window.
• Do NOT call the number.
• Immediately close your web browser. If it’s frozen, use Ctrl+Alt+Delete on a Windows PC or Command+Option+Esc on a Mac to open the Task Manager or Force Quit menu and end the browser process.
• After restarting your browser, clear your cache and run a scan with your trusted, legitimate antivirus software to be safe.

The Phishing Email: An Urgent Request in Your Inbox

Phishing emails are designed to look like they’re from a legitimate source—a supplier, a bank, a client, or a service like Xero or Dropbox.

They’ll contain an “urgent” request, such as an overdue invoice to be paid, a link to reset a password, or a shared document to be reviewed.

How to Spot a Phish:

• Check the Sender’s Email Address: Hover your mouse over the sender’s name to reveal the actual email address. Scammers often use addresses that are close to the real thing but slightly off (e.g., billling@xero-australia.com instead of billing@xero.com).
• Look for Generic Greetings: “Dear Valued Customer” is a red flag. Legitimate companies will usually use your name.
• Hover Over Links: Before you click, hover your mouse over any links to see the actual destination URL. If it looks suspicious or doesn’t match the context of the email, don’t click it.
• Poor Grammar and Spelling: Professional organisations proofread their emails. Obvious errors are a major warning sign.

Your Action Plan: Never click links or download attachments from an unsolicited or suspicious email.

If you think the request might be legitimate, verify it through a separate communication channel.

For example, if you receive a suspicious invoice from a supplier, call them using the phone number from their official website, not the one in the email.

You’ve Been Scammed. What’s Next? A Recovery Action Plan for Your Business

If the worst happens and you realise you’ve fallen for a scam, it’s crucial to act quickly and methodically.

The steps you take in the first few hours can significantly mitigate the damage.

Step 1: Disconnect and Isolate The very first thing you should do is disconnect the affected computer from the internet and your office network. Unplug the ethernet cable and turn off the Wi-Fi. This prevents the scammer from maintaining access and stops any malware from spreading to other devices in your business.

Step 2: Financial Triage If you paid the scammer with a credit or debit card, call your bank’s fraud department immediately using the number on the back of your card. Report the transaction as fraudulent and ask for it to be reversed (a chargeback). They will likely cancel the compromised card and issue a new one. If you transferred money directly from a bank account, the process is more difficult, but you must still report it to your bank instantly.

Step 3: Password Overhaul Assume that any password you have ever typed on the compromised computer is now known to the scammers. Begin changing all your critical passwords immediately, using a different, secure computer. Prioritise:

• Online banking
• Primary business email accounts
• Cloud accounting software (Xero, MYOB)
• Any other system containing sensitive financial or customer data

Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on every account that offers it.

This provides a vital layer of security, even if a scammer has your password.

Step 4: Report the Incident Reporting the scam is crucial. It helps authorities track criminal networks and warns other businesses.

• Scamwatch: Report the details of the scam to the ACCC’s Scamwatch service.
• Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC): Report the cybercrime through the ACSC’s online portal.

Step 5: Call in the Professionals. Call Mr. IT. After a breach, you cannot be 100% certain that your computer or network is clean without professional help.

Scammers are experts at hiding backdoors and malicious software that can lie dormant for weeks or months.

This is where you need a trusted local expert. Contact Mr. IT on 03 9087 4389. Our team can:

• Perform a comprehensive diagnostic to find and remove every trace of malware and remote access tools.
• Assess the extent of the breach and advise if any sensitive data was stolen.
• Secure your systems and network to prevent a repeat incident.
• Implement robust backup solutions to protect your data from future ransomware attacks.
• Provide a full report for your records and any potential insurance claims.

Proactive Protection: Fortifying Your Melbourne Business

The best way to deal with a scam is to never fall for one in the first place.

Moving from a reactive to a proactive cybersecurity posture is one of the smartest investments you can make in your business.

• Staff Training: Your team is your human firewall. Regular, practical training on how to spot phishing emails and handle suspicious phone calls is essential. Make cybersecurity a part of your company culture.
• Managed IT Security: Partnering with a managed IT service provider like Mr. IT means you have experts proactively managing your security. We ensure your antivirus is up-to-date, your firewall is configured correctly, and critical security patches are applied as soon as they are released.
• The Essential Tech Toolkit: Every business needs a baseline of security technology: business-grade antivirus software, a strong network firewall, and an automated data backup system that keeps multiple copies of your data both onsite and in the cloud.

Your Local Melbourne Shield Against Tech Scams

In the fast-paced Melbourne business world, you have enough to worry about. Let Mr. IT handle your digital defence.

We are more than just a tech support company; we are your dedicated partner in cybersecurity.

We provide the expert guidance, prompt solutions, and unwavering support you need to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.

Stay informed, stay protected, and remember: Mr. IT is here to keep your business safe from tech scams.

If you need urgent help or want to discuss a proactive security plan for your business, get in touch with us today on 03 9087 4389.