Beryl O’Keefe said she received a call on Wednesday from a person claiming to be from Telstra. The person said if Mrs O’Keefe did not delete files from her computer, her internet would be disconnected for five to seven months.

When challenged, the person failed to verify her standing with Telstra with Mrs O’Keefe then terminating the call.

“I knew something was not right when it rang and the phone number came up and it had heaps of numbers in it,” Mrs O’Keefe said.

“I think what she was trying to do was get access to my computer and if that had of happened I’m sure people like this could cause some damage once they got in there. I just think it is important for people to be aware scams like this are happening and not just to believe what people at the other end of the phone are telling them.”

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is warning the community to be wary of scammers trying to ruin their Christmas holidays.

“Scammers often try to take advantage of people during the busy Christmas period,” ACCC deputy chair Delia Rickard said.

“Your personal information is often just as valuable to a scammer as your money so always be careful about the information you give out online.”