"Importantly, telemarketing callers will ask customers to verify themselves for security reasons with their date of birth when offering a new service or plan to existing Telstra customers — so customers should make sure the caller does this.

Customers are free to ask the consultant how they represent Telstra can request a contact name and number if they want to verify the caller, the telco said. According to Telstra, the company will not:

Queenslanders who suspect a scammer should report it to Telstra’s Sales Watch Hotline on 1800 260 270 between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

“We are prepared to receive complaints about any type of sales activity, including door-to-door and telemarketing,” the company said.