The NBN Co has warned against a rise in scammers impersonating staff, with many seeking to collect residents’ personal and financial information.

Certain groups of people are being targeted more than others – e.g. those living in retirement villages.

NBN Co Chief Security Officer, Darren Kane, affirms the company does not make unsolicited sales calls to consumers, and never requests payment or account details during routine network roll-out calls.

Kane has advised consumers to maintain their guard, and verify the identity of callers before providing financial information.

Common scams involve ‘fake staff’ contacting consumers about connecting to the NBN, and then requesting payment via an iTunes gift card.

According to the ACCC, last year scammers impersonating NBN staff stole $28,000 from Australian residents.