Hills Fleurieu police are urging the community to remain vigilant following a recent cyber scam that cost a local thousands of dollars.

Earlier this month, Mount Barker police were contacted by a local woman who was targeted by a scammer posing as an employee from a phone company. 

This caller falsely claimed that the victim's internet had been compromised and persuaded her to download an application and transfer $5000 to "secure" her network. 

The victim was also asked to send copies of her Medicare card and driver's licence to the scammer.

SAPOL offers the following tips to help protect yourself from scams:

• Hang up and contact the organisation on a known, reputable number. Do NOT trust contact details given to you by the caller.
• Be aware of requests for unusual payment methods. Once you have placed money into a crypto ATM it will never be seen again.
• Remember that you can still receive scam calls from a private number. If in doubt, hang up and ring the organisation back on a known reputable number.
• Never download programs or applications at the request of someone over the phone.
• Do not be intimidated by technical language or pushy behaviour.
• Make sure your computer is protected and regularly updated anti-virus and anti-spyware software. Conduct your own research first and only purchase software from a source that you know and trust.
• Never give remote access to your device or computer, no matter how legitimate they appear!

For more tips on staying cyber safe, visit Australian Cyber Security Centre and report any cybercrimes to police.