Scam email / text messages about tolls or tolling accounts

We continue to be aware of online scams involving email / text messages about tolls or tolling accounts.

Some of these scam email / text messages mention EastLink or may even closely resemble a genuine EastLink email / text message.

A genuine email / text message sent by EastLink would always include relevant and correct personal information (e.g. your full name AND vehicle rego or EastLink account number). Genuine links would also be direct to the EastLink website domain "eastlink.com.au".

If you receive an email / text message about EastLink tolls or EastLink tolling accounts that does not include correct personal information (e.g. your name AND vehicle rego or EastLink account number) or it includes links to domains other than "eastlink.com.au", then it is a scam. It was not sent by EastLink. Do not click on any links or reply to the email / text message. There is no need to contact EastLink to report it.

If you receive an email / text message that appears to be from EastLink but which was sent to you maliciously by someone else, then you put yourself at considerable risk if you click on any link in the email / text message or open any attachment to the email / text message.

How to protect yourself

If you receive any communication from EastLink that you are not expecting and/or you are unsure about its validity:

• If it is about an EastLink account, go directly to our website www.eastlink.com.au (without clicking on any link in the email / text message) and login to your account. Your account status, balance, statements and other account details will be shown when you login, and account payments can be made when logged in.

• If it is about an EastLink toll invoice or overdue notice, go directly to our website www.eastlink.com.au (without clicking on any link in the email / text message) and go to the Settle toll invoice function. You can then provide the licence plate number details of your vehicle, and the website will show any outstanding EastLink toll invoices or overdue notices for that vehicle.

Do not reply to any suspicious email / text message or provide any personal or financial information. Do not reply to the email or phone the number that sent the text message. Instead, to verify the validity of a suspicious email or text message, contact EastLink or the other service provider directly via the website or contact points published by EastLink or the other service provider. EastLink's contact points are published here on our website www.eastlink.com.au.

Always ensure that the operating system on each of your electronic devices is up to date.

Always use internet security software to provide protection from electronic viruses, trojans and malware, and keep your internet security software up to date.

For more information and advice about scams and cyber security, visit these Australian Government websites:

• scamwatch.gov.au (ACCC Scamwatch)

• cyber.gov.au (Australian Cyber Security Centre).