Scamwatch is urging people to be extra vigilant about scams after Australians reported a record $211 million in losses to scams so far this year, an 89 per cent increase compared to the same period last year, according to new data from Scamwatch. The losses, reported between 1 January and 19 September, have already surpassed…
Tag Archive for scam
A Rise in Romance Baiting Scams
by themovieboards - Editor •
Australians reported a record-breaking $37 million lost to Scamwatch last year for dating and romance scams. Total losses are expected to be much higher and scammers are now using dating apps to lure victims into investment scams. This new technique, called romance baiting, involves scammers meeting people on dating apps and then moving the conversation…
ACCC Warns Beware of Charity Scams
by themovieboards - Editor •
Scammers are increasingly using fake charities or impersonating real charities to take advantage of people’s generosity and compassion, with losses reported to the ACCC’s Scamwatch increasing steadily over the past four years. This week is Charity Fraud Awareness Week and Scamwatch is warning people to watch out for fake charities and offering some quick and…
Beware of Celebrity Endorsement Scams
by themovieboards - Editor •
People are increasingly being caught out by celebrity endorsement scams, with reports to Scamwatch increasing 400 per cent and losses increasing a staggering 3,800 per cent so far in 2018. These scams often appear as online advertisements or promotional stories on social media or a seemingly legitimate, trustworthy website. They include fictitious quotes and doctored…
Beware of High Risk Investment Scams
by themovieboards - Editor •
The ACCC is warning the community to watch out for investment scammers who promise the world but leave their victims with broken dreams and empty bank accounts. “In the first half of 2017, Australians have reported losing over $13 million to investment scams to the ACCC’s Scamwatch website, making it the most profitable of all…
Centrelink Scam Alert
by themovieboards - Editor •
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is warning consumers to beware of scammers imitating Department of Human Services or Centrelink officers to trick you into handing over your money or personal details. “The ACCC has received a spike in contacts about fake rebate scams in which the scammer claims to be from Centrelink or the…
Scammers targeting Victorians with ABS Scam
by themovieboards - Editor •
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is advising the Victorian community to be aware of a scam which tries to obtain personal and financial information over the phone. “The scam is a concern because it is seeking to obtain personal and financial information purporting to be from, or representing, the ABS,” said ABS Chief Operating…
Bogus Qantas holiday scam
by themovieboards - Editor •
SCAMwatch and Qantas are warning people about automated calls from scammers posing as Qantas staff claiming that they’ve won a credit towards their next holiday. An ACCC spokesman explained that reports have been received from both consumers and businesses about these scam calls, where the recipient picks up the phone and hears a recorded message…
Look out for Woolworths scammer customer satisfaction survey
by themovieboards - Editor •
The ACCC is warning shoppers to be on the look-out for a fake Woolworths customer satisfaction survey that asks for bank account details in exchange for a $150 gift voucher. There has been a surge in reports to the ACCC with 140 complaints received since the scam resurfaced at the start of September. “Last year,…
Australia Post Scam Email Warning
by themovieboards - Editor •
Australia Post is warning customers of an email which advises that a “courier company” was unable to deliver a parcel to their address. The email has a sender of no-reply@auspost.com.au. A spokesman for Australia Post explained that the Scam Email requests the customer to print a label before they can collect it from the local…