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Canon Australia is taking precautionary steps to protect our community after becoming aware of an online printer set up scam targeting new printer customers.
The phishing scam affects printer users around the world, including owners of Canon printers and other popular home printing brands.
Customers setting up their new printer online are directed to a fake Canon printer set up URL, which they will find via prominent search engines such as Google, Yahoo, Bing and many others. Both the fake URL and the website it links to appear very similar to the real printer brand’s site. However, instead of offering helpful set up support, the website directs consumers to engage in a series of confusing and frustrating steps.
This illegitimate webpage instructs customers to call a false technical support number for assistance. Once on the phone, the scammer falsely claims that there is an issue with the printer and that the imposter technician will need to take control of the customer’s computer in order to “solve the problem”.
The scammers then put malware on your computer and demand a fee to “remove” the virus for a ransom that can range from $200 to $800. Additionally, while the scammer has control of the computer, they may also attempt to phish for your personal information or install viruses or spyware, granting them access to valuable personal data to use in further online fraud initiatives, such as identity theft.
It is very important to check that you are following the set up instructions in your printer box or provided on the secure Canon Australia website. The most important thing to bear in mind is that Canon Customer Service agents will never request money or ask to take control of your computer when helping you to set up your printer. Likewise, Canon will never contact you to offer unsolicited support. If you are ever contacted by someone claiming to be a Canon Customer Support agent, please hang up.
At Canon, we take your online security very seriously. We have published a series of step-by-step guides to ensure you know exactly where to go to safely set up your new Canon printer online, and avoid potential cyber scams.
1. Check You are Not Navigating to a Fake Website
To safely set up your Canon printer, follow the correct instructions provided in your printer box or on the secure Canon Australia website to this URL: http://canon.com/ijsetup. The illicit copycat URL set up by the scammers, which you may find in the search engine results or Google ads, may look very similar. For example: http://ij_start/ijsetup OR http://canon.com-ijsetup. These fake sites should absolutely be avoided. Cyber scammers depend on you skimming over the address and domain name so you don’t realise when a 'dot', ‘dash’ or 'forward slash' has been replaced by another symbol that will redirect you to a harmful copycat site.
2. Cross Check Phone Numbers
Even if it means opening a new window or tab, it pays to confirm a brand’s official phone number before calling. Be wary of any numbers that don’t start with ‘13’ or ‘1800’ when contacting an established business. Canon Australia’s Customer Service and Support number is 13 13 83. Our PrintAssist Customer Service number is 1300 460 738.
3. Know What Canon Will and Won’t Ask You Over the Phone
Canon Customer Service and Support agents will never ask you for personal information other than your name and product reference number. We will never request any sort of payment from you over the phone, or require access to your personal computing devices for any reason. Canon agents will also never threaten legal ramifications for not being complicit with their demands.
If you ever encounter any of this sort of behaviour, please hang up the phone immediately and contact Canon Australia via our official website or Customer Service and Support number: 13 13 83.
For more information on ways to protect yourself against cybercrime, visit Scamwatch: https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/
Rest assured that your online safety and security is of paramount importance to Canon Australia. A stringent set of protocols have been put in place by Canon’s Fraud and Counterfeit Unit to combat this criminal cyber activity and support customers who become affected by it.
If you have fallen victim to an online printer set up scam while setting up your Canon printer, please phone Canon Australia’s Service and Support team on 13 13 83. Our PrintAssist Customer Service number is 1300 460 738.
Canon Australia will act swiftly and will never ask for personal information other than your name and product reference number. Canon Support staff will never request any sort of payment from you over the phone, require access to your personal computing devices, or threaten legal ramifications for not being complicit with demands.
Your case will be officially dealt with by Canon Australia’s internal Fraud and Counterfeit Unit. Once you have made contact with Canon, a member of the team will contact you to discuss the matter further.
We appreciate your collaboration and patience as we investigate this matter. We will endeavour to resolve the issue in a timely manner.
Unsure if you have been targeted by the printer set up phishing scam?
If you believe you may have been targeted by a scammer while setting up your new Canon printer online, we recommend taking the following precautionary measures:
• Change your passwords for your devices and any folders/apps where you keep sensitive personal information (such as your email account and/or financial records).
• Run a security scan on your device, or take it to a professional to do so.
• Make a note of any details you can remember from the call, as well as the URL/website you believe could be potentially harmful, and contact Canon Australia’s Service and Support team on 13 13 83 as soon as possible.
