Consumers and businesses warned of potential scams following CrowdStrike outage:
The National Anti-Scam Centre is warning consumers and small businesses to be wary of unsolicited calls, emails or messages requesting they download a software patch or provide remote access to fix or protect their computer from the CrowdStrike/Microsoft outage.
Downloading unsolicited software can give scammers access to your computer, including your bank accounts.
Consumers should also be alert to unsolicited requests from individuals claiming to be from their financial institutions or other businesses requesting they update or verify their personal or financial information due to the CrowdStrike/Microsoft outage.
“Criminals look to take advantage of incidents like this CrowdStrike outage, creating a sense of urgency that you need to do what they say to protect your computer and your financial information,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.
“Anyone can be scammed, so it is important to be wary of any unsolicited contact that purports to provide assistance in the aftermath of a major event like this.”
Consumers and businesses should:
STOP – don’t be rushed into downloading software or providing personal or financial information
CHECK – verify who you are talking to – call your IT support or financial institution on a number you have sourced independently
PROTECT – Act quickly – if you have provided access or information contact your bank immediately and report to scamwatch.gov.au to help protect others
Melbourne Airport General Manager of Operations Scott Dullard:
Operations for all airlines at Melbourne Airport have now returned to normal. We will continue to work closely with our airlines and airport community to monitor and support recovery over the coming days.
We appreciate the patience and understanding of our passengers while this problem was being resolved.
If you are heading to the airport today, allow a little extra time for check-in as there may still be some congestion in the terminals.
Rest assured we have extra staff on today to make sure your journey is a smooth one.
Background on cancellations:
- Jetstar departures – 5 International and 7 Domestic
- Jetstar arrivals – 4 International and 11 Domestic
- Qantas – 1 departure and 2 arrivals (Domestic)
- Virgin Australia – 1 arrival and 1 departure (Domestic)
- Rex – 2 arrivals
- United Airlines – 1 International
An Update to Delta Customers from CEO Ed Bastian:
Like many companies worldwide, Delta was impacted on Friday morning by an outside vendor technology issue, which prompted us to pause flying while our systems were offline.
The pause in our operation resulted in more than 3,500 Delta and Delta Connection flights cancelled through Saturday. Cancellations continue on Sunday as Delta’s teams work to recover our systems and restore our operation. Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.
The technology issue occurred on the busiest travel weekend of the summer, with our booked loads exceeding 90%, limiting our reaccommodation capabilities. I want to apologize to every one of you who have been impacted by these events. Delta is in the business of connecting the world, and we understand how difficult it can be when your travels are disrupted.
Please know that Delta’s entire team of the best professionals in the business have been working around the clock to safely get you where you need to go, and restore the reliable, on-time experience you’ve come to expect when you fly with us.
Specifically, the issue impacted the Microsoft Windows operating system. Delta has a significant number of applications that use that system, and in particular one of our crew tracking-related tools was affected and unable to effectively process the unprecedented number of changes triggered by the system shutdown. Our teams have been working around the clock to recover and restore full functionality.
We have issued a travel waiver to enable you to make a change to your itinerary at no charge. I encourage you to take advantage of that flexibility if possible. In addition, for those whose flights have been impacted, we continue to offer meal vouchers, hotel accommodations and transportation where available. And as a gesture of apology, we’re also providing impacted customers with Delta SkyMiles and travel vouchers. We will continue to keep you informed via delta.com and the Fly Delta app for the latest information on your itinerary.
I want to thank Delta’s employees, who have been working tirelessly across our system to restore our best-in-class operation and take care of you during a very challenging situation.
Thank you for your patience as we work through these issues, restore our operation and return to the reliability you expect from Delta.
