Warning – Traffic infringement email scam
Image of actual scam email
Look out Mackay district residents – this email scam is running red hot!
Starting just early this week our Mackay station front counter staff have dealt with dozens of residents who have received different versions of the above email which alleges that the recipient has committed a traffic infringement.
Phone calls are being received in similar numbers at our Road Policing Unit by impacted residents as well.
Even some of our own sworn officers are receiving the scam email – one Senior Sergeant receiving four scam traffic infringement emails in a day!
There are many ways to identify this as a scam email, here they are :
- Let’s start at the beginning, in Queensland, unless you are stopped by a police officer for a traffic offence, and by agreement – you consent to receiving the relevant infringement notice by way of an email (an email address which you nominate to the officer) then you will NEVER receive an email infringement.
- This scam email is generic – meaning – it is not addressed to any one. Any email which is not addressed to you by name as the recipient, yet encourages you to provide personal information, open a link or attachment – should cause all sorts of internal alarm bells and warning signs to activate.
- There is no sender details including name, contact details etc.
- Been issued an infringement notice by the Australian Federal Police lately? Didn’t think so.
More information is available at https://goo.gl/BYHy21
Some people by nature are very inquisitive – that’s not a good thing if you receive this email. Clicking the DOWNLOAD YOUR INFRINGEMENT NOTICE link activates malware which will cause only heartache and pain. Traffic Infringement email scams in the past have resulted in the delivery of the Ransomware virus to a system – meaning all of your files/data will be encrypted, and the crook will demand money (in the form of Bit Coin) from you to remove the encryption. It is an unpleasant experience.
If you have been impacted by the Ransomware virus in this instance, our advice is NOT to pay any ransom demand. Seek help and assistance from an IT specialist. Report the matter through the ACORN (Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network) as soon as possible.
Source: Mackay Crime Alert
