The community has been urged to hang up on robocalls claiming to be from Canberra Health Services, as a new scam circulates.
A Canberra Health Services spokesperson said people were receiving robocalls from a number that appears to be associated with the organisation. Recipients are being asked to call another number to pay a debt over the phone.
"If you receive one of these calls, please hang up. Do not make any payment or provide any personal information," the spokesperson said.
"We do not make robocalls."
This matter has been reported to authorities, including the Australian Cyber Security Centre.
It comes after new data shows one quarter of Australians are being targeted by scammers multiple times a week.
Last month $42.7 million was lost to scammers, taking the total to $336 million so far this year, according to data from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's Scamwatch.
This year's losses are already four per cent higher than the $323 million lost during 2021.
For information about protecting yourself from scams, visit scamwatch.gov.au.
Tips to help you spot a scam
- The sender's name is vague, and the email address is long or convoluted
- The sender's phone number is international or an unknown local phone number
- The email or message is attention-grabbing or alarmist
- The call you have received is from an unknown number with a robo speaker
- The email or message urges immediate action of some kind
- The email, message or call cites some pretence for seeking your personal information, including asking you to log in or confirm your details on a website
- The email or message requests payment or a transfer of funds
- The email or message urges you to click hyperlinked text or a link without clarifying where you are clicking
