Criminals are attempting to trick Telstra customers into handing over personal details through phishing emails targeting Telstra's trials of new 700MHz spectrum.
Telstra recently kicked off commercial trials of 4G services on the 2x20 MHz of 700 MHz spectrum it acquired in the Commonwealth's 2013 digital dividend auction across Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Fremantle and several other suburbs.
The ACMA granted it an early access license to the spectrum ahead of the formal commencement of the licenses early next year.
But the telco today said criminals are already exploiting the trial by attempting to convince Telstra customers they needed to update their billing information as a result of the introduction of 700 MHz-based 4G services.
The email also offers incentives to update, promising a free iPhone 6 Plus to the first 100 customers to who re-enter their billing details, as well as 1000 one-year contracts with free talknights, weekends and unlimited text messages, Telstra warned in a blog post.
"This email is a fake - the only ‘very special gift’ you may get if you click on the link is malware being placed on your computer or device, and your personal details compromised and used illegally by third parties," Telstra national security advisor Rachel Falk wrote.
"If this phishing email has been sent to you don’t open it, don’t click on the embedded link and you should delete it straight away."
Falk suggested users type URLs directly into the browser as opposed to clicking on embedded links in emails, and contact the company claiming to be the sender via official contact details when in doubt about a communication.
Rival Optus is also currently trialling 700 MHz spectrum ahead of the formal commencement of licenses in January.
