Scammers are falsely using Qantas’ name to fleece Australians out of hundreds of dollars. CREDIT: Lance Broad.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) issued a warning today for the public to steer clear of automated phone calls which suggest they have won a cash prize or bonus.

The ACMA said the scam involved a prerecorded call coming through to someone’s phone with an instruction to “press 1” to redeem the cash prize, frequent flyer points or “loyalty reward” from airlines or hotel chains

If 1 is pressed, callers are taken to a human operator who will ask a number of questions, including a request for credit card details.

Manager of Unsolicited Communications Compliance at ACMA, Eve Osiowy, said the organisation had first been alerted to the scam last year but they had recently seen a resurgence in people being duped.

“In the last week or so we’ve received 32 complaints from consumers so that’s what’s told us this scam is active again,” she told news.com.au

“Scammers will use automatic diallers so they can make thousands of calls but they only talk to people who press 1,” Ms Osiowy said. “It’s a very effective way to filter people.”

She said Qantas was a popular name to use but the fraudsters also said they were from Virgin Australia or hotel chains such as Marriott.

“They often say you’ve won $999 but, of course, it could be any money. Then they will ask for credit card details to verify and book but you will find that money has been taken rather than deposited from your bank account.”

Ms Osiowy said she had one piece of advice, “Never give financial or personal information in response to unsolicited calls.”

In a statement on it’s website Qantas warned customers about the scam and advised the calls were easily identifiable as bogus.

“Qantas consultants will always call customers directly to discuss their bookings and do not use an automated phone system when contacting customers proactively.”

A spokesman told news.com.au, “if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is”.