How Sylvie Lost $20,000 to an NBN Scam – And What You Can Learn

• Scam Awareness
• Cybersecurity Tips
• Real Scam Story

Discover Sylvie Leber’s real-life experience with an NBN scam, how she recovered emotionally and financially, and the steps you can take to prevent it.

An Unexpected Call from “NBN”

Sylvie Leber is a creative soul—she paints, plays music and writes. So when she received a phone message that claimed to be from the "NBN," asking to schedule a technician visit to upgrade her internet, she naturally trusted it. She chose Wednesday afternoon, expecting a routine maintenance check.

The Moment She Downloaded AnyDesk

The scammers then instructed Sylvie to install an app called AnyDesk on her computer. Ostensibly for remote access by the technician, this app instead opened the door for the fraudsters. They connected silently, accessed her files and bank accounts, and extracted personal information.

When Reality Hit

About an hour later, Sylvie checked her bank statement and discovered the horrifying truth—the scammers had emptied her savings account, taking around $20,000. She went into shock, unable to believe something so devastating had happened.

The Emotional Fallout

• Shock and horror: The immediate feeling of disbelief left Sylvie speechless.
• Shame and guilt: She felt ashamed that she had fallen victim, even though—on reflection—it could have happened to anyone.
• Loss of confidence: Her sense of security vanished overnight, and she felt like a mess.

She sought professional support, including sessions with a psychologist, to work through the trauma.

Finding Strength in Support

Despite the emotional toll, Sylvie was incredibly fortunate to have her daughter’s unwavering support. Her daughter enlisted a cybersecurity expert friend who meticulously changed Sylvie’s passwords, checked device security, and patched vulnerabilities. This support network was vital for both practical recovery and mental healing.

Power Through Learning

Sylvie now shares her story with hope—that by understanding the scammers’ tactics, others can avoid the same fate. In Australia, we’ve seen a rise in tech-support scams where fraudsters impersonate NBN, banks or even government agencies.

These scams rely on three powerful methods:

• Authority impersonation: They claim to be from a trusted institution.
• Urgency: You’re told something critical—like an upgrade or security alert—needs immediate action.
• Remote access apps: Installing software like AnyDesk provides full control over your computer.

How to Shield Yourself from Similar Scams

• Verify in person: Hang up and independently confirm with your provider using official contact details.
• Never install remote software: Unless you're absolutely certain who’s requesting access and why.
• Use two-factor authentication (2FA): A secondary security layer can prevent unauthorised access even if passwords are compromised.
• Monitor accounts: Regularly check your bank and credit card statements to catch suspicious transactions early.
• Talk it through: If unsure, consult a friend, family member or a trusted tech advisor before taking action.

Sylvie’s Ongoing Recovery

Sylvie continues to rebuild—financially, emotionally and digitally. She thanks her daughter and mental health professionals for helping her reclaim her confidence. While some damage cannot be undone, she is determined that her story will act as a warning and encourage vigilance.

A Final Word from Sylvie

“I hope by telling my story that others will learn from what happened to me, and it won’t happen to them. The more aware we become of how the scammers operate, the less likely we are to be scammed.”