tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34139336683720851642024-03-14T14:22:31.934+10:00Queensland Consumer WatchThis site is dedicated to providing consumer advice and the protection of consumer rights of Queenslanders by exposing blatant commercial exploitation, consumer ripoffs and unacceptable business practices. The site includes up-to-date local, national and world news headlines.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2260125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413933668372085164.post-39480960961518389812018-07-25T13:21:00.001+10:002018-07-25T13:21:07.028+10:00ACCC fails us over credit card charges as American Express remain exempt from Australian Law<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<h1 class="page-header" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zPQbHVbF8Sg/W1fsLyS922I/AAAAAAAB6bc/uBkCbp0YpWwhcpusIbGYZnqLw3692IogACLcBGAs/s1600/Ripoff.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="299" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zPQbHVbF8Sg/W1fsLyS922I/AAAAAAAB6bc/uBkCbp0YpWwhcpusIbGYZnqLw3692IogACLcBGAs/s1600/Ripoff.png" /></a></h1>
<span class="page-title-inner"><h1 class="page-header" id="page-title" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="page-title-inner"><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">From ACCC website:</span></span></h1>
</span><h1 class="page-header" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="page-title-inner">Credit, debit & prepaid card surcharges</span></h1>
<section class="content-body"><div class="region region-content">
<section class="block block-system clearfix" id="block-system-main"><div class="content">
<article about="/consumers/prices-surcharges-receipts/credit-debit-prepaid-card-surcharges" class="node node-accc-page node-full clearfix" id="node-33649" typeof="sioc:Item foaf:Document"><header><span class="rdf-meta element-hidden" content="Credit, debit & prepaid card surcharges" property="dc:title"></span> </header><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden">
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Businesses are banned from charging excessive payment surcharges on credit, debit and prepaid card payments. The ACCC will investigate consumer complaints and take enforcement action where necessary.<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="top"></a><div class="toc-filter toc-filter-bullet">
<div class="toc-filter-content">
<ul class="toc-filter-links">
<li><a class="toc-filter-processed" href="https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/prices-surcharges-receipts/credit-debit-prepaid-card-surcharges#payment-surcharges">Payment surcharges</a></li>
<li><a class="toc-filter-processed" href="https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/prices-surcharges-receipts/credit-debit-prepaid-card-surcharges#ban-against-excessive-surcharges">Ban against excessive surcharges</a></li>
<li><a class="toc-filter-processed" href="https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/prices-surcharges-receipts/credit-debit-prepaid-card-surcharges#included-and-excluded-payment-types">Included and excluded payment types</a></li>
<li><a class="toc-filter-processed" href="https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/prices-surcharges-receipts/credit-debit-prepaid-card-surcharges#typical-surcharge-costs">Typical surcharge costs</a></li>
<li><a class="toc-filter-processed" href="https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/prices-surcharges-receipts/credit-debit-prepaid-card-surcharges#if-businesses-introduce-other-fees">If businesses introduce other fees</a></li>
<li><a class="toc-filter-processed" href="https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/prices-surcharges-receipts/credit-debit-prepaid-card-surcharges#eftpos-minimums">EFTPOS minimums</a></li>
<li><a class="toc-filter-processed" href="https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/prices-surcharges-receipts/credit-debit-prepaid-card-surcharges#enforcing-the-ban">Enforcing the ban</a></li>
<li><a class="toc-filter-processed" href="https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/prices-surcharges-receipts/credit-debit-prepaid-card-surcharges#what-you-should-do">What you should do</a></li>
<li><a class="toc-filter-processed" href="https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/prices-surcharges-receipts/credit-debit-prepaid-card-surcharges#if-you-think-you-have-been-charged-an-excessive-payment-surcharge">If you think you have been charged an excessive payment surcharge</a></li>
<li><a class="toc-filter-processed" href="https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/prices-surcharges-receipts/credit-debit-prepaid-card-surcharges#more-information">More information</a></li>
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<h2 class=" toc-header toc-header-bullet">
<a class="toc-bookmark element-hidden-print" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="payment-surcharges" name="payment-surcharges" rel="bookmark" tabindex="-1" title="Payment surcharges"></a>Payment surcharges</h2>
When you pay a business using certain payment types, for example a credit card, the business incurs costs for processing the payment. These costs are usually paid by the business to its bank. Some businesses include these costs in the price they charge for their goods or services. Others pass the costs on as a payment surcharge.<br />
A payment surcharge is an additional amount charged by a business when you pay for goods or services by one form of payment (e.g. a credit card) rather than another (e.g. cash).<br />
<h2 class=" toc-header toc-header-bullet">
<a class="toc-bookmark element-hidden-print" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="ban-against-excessive-surcharges" name="ban-against-excessive-surcharges" rel="bookmark" tabindex="-1" title="Ban against excessive surcharges"></a>Ban against excessive surcharges</h2>
On 25 February 2016 the<em> Competition and Consumer Amendment (Payment Surcharges) Act 2016 </em>became law. It inserted a new part into the CCA banning excessive payment surcharges and provided new powers for the ACCC.<br />
The ban is found in the CCA, and operates in conjunction with a Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) standard.<br />
The purpose of the ban is to stop businesses from charging payment surcharges that are excessive. That is, from charging a customer more than what it costs the business to process the payment.<br />
A business is not required to impose a payment surcharge, but if it chooses to then it is only allowed to pass on to the customer the costs that the business was charged for accepting payment of that payment type.<br />
The ban applies to all businesses, regardless of their size.<br />
<div class="accc-accc-policy-quick-fact">
<strong>Example</strong><br />
Jenny purchases an airfare through an airline’s online booking system. She wants to pay for the ticket with her Visa credit card.<br />
As part of its agreements with its bank and other payment providers, the airline is charged a total of 1 per cent of the cost of each transaction for accepting payments using Visa credit cards.<br />
The airline is not required to impose a surcharge. If it does it will usually be a percentage figure, although in some cases it might impose a flat fee – however the surcharge must not be excessive for any given transaction.<br />
The airline decides to pass on this cost to Jenny as a payment surcharge on Visa credit card transactions.<br />
If the airline charges Jenny a payment surcharge which is not higher than 1 per cent of the value of her transaction it is not in breach of the ban.<br />
If the airline charges Jenny a payment surcharge which amounts to more than 1 per cent of the value of Jenny’s transaction, then the surcharge is likely to be excessive and likely to breach the ban.</div>
<h2 class=" toc-header toc-header-bullet">
<a class="toc-bookmark element-hidden-print" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="included-and-excluded-payment-types" name="included-and-excluded-payment-types" rel="bookmark" tabindex="-1" title="Included and excluded payment types"></a>Included and excluded payment types</h2>
The Reserve Bank of Australia standard sets out what payment types are covered by the ban.<br />
<br /><br />
Covered payment types are:<br />
<ul>
<li>Eftpos (debit and prepaid)</li>
<li>MasterCard (credit, debit and prepaid)</li>
<li>Visa (credit, debit and prepaid)</li>
<li>American Express “companion cards” (American Express cards issued through an Australian financial service provider, rather than directly through American Express).</li>
</ul>
Those payment types that are <strong><span style="color: red;">not</span> </strong>covered by the ban include: BPAY, PayPal, Diners Club cards, American Express cards issued directly by American Express, cash and cheques.<br />
<br /><br />
Merchants are still allowed to apply surcharges to payments using BPAY, PayPal, Diners Club and American Express cards if they wish. While these payment surcharges are not subject to the ban, and therefore the ACCC cannot take action if they are excessive, these payment systems may have rules or terms and conditions that seek to limit the surcharges merchants can impose. If you have concerns about a surcharge for paying using one of these systems you should contact that system directly.<br />
<br /><br />
The ban does not apply to any payments made for taxi services. Taxi services were excluded from the RBA standard because the industry is already regulated by state and territory regulators.<br />
The ban does not affect the existing requirements for businesses to comply with the Australian Consumer Law provisions relating to false or misleading representations about price, and component pricing. These require businesses to state the total price when presenting prices to consumers and to not make false or misleading claims about their prices.<br />
See: <a href="http://accc.gov.au/consumers/prices-receipts/price-displays">Price displays</a><br />
<h2 class=" toc-header toc-header-bullet">
<a class="toc-bookmark element-hidden-print" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="typical-surcharge-costs" name="typical-surcharge-costs" rel="bookmark" tabindex="-1" title="Typical surcharge costs"></a>Typical surcharge costs</h2>
The RBA standard allows businesses to charge their customers a cost-based surcharge on card payments, but any surcharge will be limited to the amount it costs the business to accept that type of card for that transaction. Businesses incur costs when they accept a payment from a customer using a credit card, a debit card or a prepaid card. The level of those costs can vary according to the size of the business and which payment method is used.<br />
The RBA has said that as a guide, payments through the domestic eftpos system (used to process payments from debit cards) are usually quite low, mostly below 0.5 per cent. Accepting a Visa or MasterCard <strong>debit </strong>transaction may cost a business around 0.5 -1 per cent of the transaction value.<br />
Credit cards usually have a higher cost for businesses, and may cost the business up to 1-1.5 per cent for Visa and MasterCard, and between 1.5-2 per cent for an American Express card payment.<br />
It is important to note that different businesses have different costs of acceptance. In general, smaller merchants' costs may be higher than these indicative figures.<br />
<div>
<h2 class=" toc-header toc-header-bullet">
<a class="toc-bookmark element-hidden-print" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="if-businesses-introduce-other-fees" name="if-businesses-introduce-other-fees" rel="bookmark" tabindex="-1" title="If businesses introduce other fees"></a>If businesses introduce other fees</h2>
The ban does not prevent a business from setting its own prices for the goods or services it sells.<br />
A business will usually determine its prices at a level where it covers all its costs, and includes a profit margin.<br />
If a business includes in its prices what it calls a ‘service fee’ or a ‘handling fee’ the ban <strong>will</strong> apply if those ‘fees’ are payable on some payment methods but not others (e.g. the fees apply when a customer pays with a credit or debit card, but not when the payment method is cash). A business is not able to by-pass the new ban by introducing what is in effect a payment surcharge but calling it something else.<br />
If the fees are not described as a payment surcharge, or something similar, and are payable by the customer regardless of the payment method, then they are unlikely to be a payment surcharge and the ban is unlikely to apply. However, ‘fees’ of any sort which are payable regardless of the payment method need to be included in the advertised total price, so the consumer is aware upfront what the total cost will be. If these fees are added to the advertised price later on, the business may not be complying with its existing obligations under the Australian Consumer Law.<br />
<h2 class=" toc-header toc-header-bullet">
<a class="toc-bookmark element-hidden-print" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="eftpos-minimums" name="eftpos-minimums" rel="bookmark" tabindex="-1" title="EFTPOS minimums"></a>EFTPOS minimums</h2>
Businesses don’t have to offer a card payment option for transactions under a certain dollar amount. But if they do, they have to comply with surcharging laws regardless of the cost of the product.<br />
<h2 class=" toc-header toc-header-bullet">
<a class="toc-bookmark element-hidden-print" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="enforcing-the-ban" name="enforcing-the-ban" rel="bookmark" tabindex="-1" title="Enforcing the ban"></a>Enforcing the ban</h2>
The ACCC is responsible for enforcing the ban. We will investigate complaints relating to excessive payment surcharges and businesses will be required to provide information and documents about their costs of accepting card payments.<br />
If we believe that a business has charged a payment surcharge which is excessive, we can issue an infringement notice to the business, which can result in the payment of a penalty. We can also take court action against the business, seeking pecuniary penalties.<br />
<h2 class=" toc-header toc-header-bullet">
<a class="toc-bookmark element-hidden-print" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="what-you-should-do" name="what-you-should-do" rel="bookmark" tabindex="-1" title="What you should do"></a>What you should do</h2>
<h3>
Discuss the matter first</h3>
If you are not happy with a payment surcharge discuss the matter with the business. Remember, businesses are allowed to charge a payment surcharge, as long as it does not exceed their costs of accepting that payment type.<br />
<h3>
Pay using a cheaper payment method</h3>
If a business charges a payment surcharge, you may be able to avoid it by paying in a different way. Different payment types have different costs of acceptance, so some payment types may attract a smaller surcharge, or no surcharge at all.<br />
<div class="accc-accc-policy-call-to-action">
<h2 class=" toc-header toc-header-bullet">
<a class="toc-bookmark element-hidden-print" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="if-you-think-you-have-been-charged-an-excessive-payment-surcharge" name="if-you-think-you-have-been-charged-an-excessive-payment-surcharge" rel="bookmark" tabindex="-1" title="If you think you have been charged an excessive payment surcharge"></a>If you think you have been charged an excessive payment surcharge</h2>
<a href="http://accc.gov.au/contact-us/contact-the-accc">Contact the ACCC</a></div>
</div>
</div>
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</article></div>
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</section></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413933668372085164.post-68504731146109625672015-07-13T09:06:00.001+10:002015-07-13T09:06:52.773+10:00Scamwatch radar alert: Australians lose $45 million to scams in 2015<center> <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="100%" width="100%" id="bodyTable" style="border-collapse: collapse;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;margin: 0;padding: 0;background-color: #F2F2F2;height: 100% !important;width: 100% !important;"> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top" id="bodyCell" style="mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;margin: 0;padding: 20px;border-top: 0;height: 100% !important;width: 100% !important;"> <!-- BEGIN TEMPLATE // --> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="600" id="templateContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;border: 0;"> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top" style="mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <!-- BEGIN PREHEADER // --> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="600" id="templatePreheader" style="border-collapse: collapse;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;background-color: #FFFFFF;border-top: 0;border-bottom: 0;"> <tr> <td valign="top" class="preheaderContainer" style="padding-top: 9px;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" class="mcnTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td valign="top" class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="600" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top" class="mcnTextContent" style="padding-top: 9px;padding-right: 18px;padding-bottom: 9px;padding-left: 18px;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #606060;font-family: Helvetica;font-size: 11px;line-height: 125%;text-align: left;"> <div style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://accc.us10.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=2d4af35bb8308428c89cac9a4&id=58f5e38bd9&e=8644bba73b" target="_blank" style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #606060;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;">View this email in your browser</a></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" class="mcnImageBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <tbody class="mcnImageBlockOuter"> <tr> <td valign="top" style="padding: 0px;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;" class="mcnImageBlockInner"> <table align="left" width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <tbody><tr> <td class="mcnImageContent" valign="top" style="padding-right: 0px;padding-left: 0px;padding-top: 0;padding-bottom: 0;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <a href="http://accc.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2d4af35bb8308428c89cac9a4&id=40696d9e1f&e=8644bba73b" title="" class="" target="_blank" style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <img align="left" alt="" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/2d4af35bb8308428c89cac9a4/images/8b877b19-5016-43de-b501-d13c2572f0d2.jpg" width="600" style="max-width: 600px;padding-bottom: 0;display: inline !important;vertical-align: bottom;border: 0;outline: none;text-decoration: none;-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;" class="mcnImage"> </a> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> </table> <!-- // END PREHEADER --> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top" style="mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <!-- BEGIN HEADER // --> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="600" id="templateHeader" style="border-collapse: collapse;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;background-color: #ffffff;border-top: 20px solid #ffffff;border-bottom: 0;"> <tr> <td valign="top" class="headerContainer" style="mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" class="mcnImageBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <tbody class="mcnImageBlockOuter"> <tr> <td valign="top" style="padding: 0px;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;" class="mcnImageBlockInner"> <table align="left" width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <tbody><tr> <td class="mcnImageContent" valign="top" style="padding-right: 0px;padding-left: 0px;padding-top: 0;padding-bottom: 0;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <img align="left" alt="Scamwatch radar alert - top banner" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/2d4af35bb8308428c89cac9a4/images/8de9581c-f688-4730-a460-34780bde88f3.jpg" width="600" style="max-width: 1200px;padding-bottom: 0;display: inline !important;vertical-align: bottom;border: 0;outline: none;text-decoration: none;-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;" class="mcnImage"> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" class="mcnTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td valign="top" class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="600" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top" class="mcnTextContent" style="padding-top: 9px;padding-right: 18px;padding-bottom: 9px;padding-left: 18px;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #51626f;font-family: Helvetica;font-size: 18px;line-height: 200%;text-align: left;"> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" class="mcnTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td valign="top" class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="600" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top" class="mcnTextContent" style="padding-top: 9px;padding-right: 18px;padding-bottom: 9px;padding-left: 18px;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #51626f;font-family: Helvetica;font-size: 18px;line-height: 200%;text-align: left;"> <h2 style="margin: 0;padding: 0;display: block;font-family: Helvetica;font-size: 26px;font-style: normal;font-weight: normal;line-height: 125%;letter-spacing: -.75px;text-align: left;color: #2f3d4a !important;">Australians lose $45 million to scams in 2015</h2> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table></td> </tr> </table> <!-- // END HEADER --> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top" style="mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <!-- BEGIN BODY // --> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="600" id="templateBody" style="border-collapse: collapse;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;background-color: #FFFFFF;border-top: 0;border-bottom: 0;"> <tr> <td valign="top" class="bodyContainer" style="mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" class="mcnTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"> <tr> <td valign="top" class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="600" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top" class="mcnTextContent" style="padding-top: 9px;padding-right: 18px;padding-bottom: 9px;padding-left: 18px;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #606060;font-family: Helvetica;font-size: 15px;line-height: 150%;text-align: left;"> <p style="margin-top: 0;margin: 1em 0;padding: 0;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #606060;font-family: Helvetica;font-size: 15px;line-height: 150%;text-align: left;"><strong style="color: #666666;font-size: 12px;font-weight: bold;line-height: 1.6em;">13 July 2015</strong></p> <p style="margin: 1em 0;padding: 0;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #606060;font-family: Helvetica;font-size: 15px;line-height: 150%;text-align: left;"> Dear radar subscriber, </p> <p style="margin: 1em 0;padding: 0;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #606060;font-family: Helvetica;font-size: 15px;line-height: 150%;text-align: left;">The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is urging the community not to send money or personal details to strangers after $45 million was reported lost to scams already this year and 45,000 complaints made.</p> <p style="margin: 1em 0;padding: 0;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #606060;font-family: Helvetica;font-size: 15px;line-height: 150%;text-align: left;"><a href="http://accc.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2d4af35bb8308428c89cac9a4&id=e79f560fc8&e=8644bba73b" target="_blank" style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #00749e;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;"><img align="right" alt="Scam statistics snapshot - Jan to Jun 2015" height="210" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/2d4af35bb8308428c89cac9a4/images/7e325957-bea8-40fc-8d50-a137c2f33657.png" style="width: 140px;height: 210px;margin: 0px 0px 15px 15px;border: 0;outline: none;text-decoration: none;-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;" width="140"></a>"Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their attempts to get your money or personal details. Scams succeed because they look like the real thing and catch you off guard when you're not expecting it," ACCC Acting Chair Delia Rickard said.</p> <p style="margin: 1em 0;padding: 0;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #606060;font-family: Helvetica;font-size: 15px;line-height: 150%;text-align: left;">"<a href="http://accc.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2d4af35bb8308428c89cac9a4&id=7de277cf69&e=8644bba73b" target="_blank" style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #00749e;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;">Our new Scamwatch website</a>, which is being launched today, has all the latest news and tips to help you identify and avoid scams. By following the advice on this site, you can help to protect yourself against scammers."</p> <p style="margin: 1em 0;padding: 0;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #606060;font-family: Helvetica;font-size: 15px;line-height: 150%;text-align: left;">"For the first time, the ACCC has published data on common scams that are causing the most harm in Australia, which will be updated every month on Scamwatch. This tool will help you keep one step ahead of the scammers," Ms Rickard said.</p> <p style="margin: 1em 0;padding: 0;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #606060;font-family: Helvetica;font-size: 15px;line-height: 150%;text-align: left;">"Scams target people of all backgrounds, ages and income levels across Australia. There's no one group of people who are more likely to become a victim of a scam and all of us may be vulnerable to a scam at some time."</p> <ul> <li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><strong>Be alert to the fact that scams exist:</strong> When dealing with uninvited contacts from people or businesses, whether it's over the phone, by mail, email, in person or on a social networking site, always consider the possibility that the approach may be a scam. Remember, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.</li> <li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><strong>Know who you're dealing with:</strong> If you've only ever met someone online or are unsure of the legitimacy of a business, take some time to do a bit more research. Do a Google image search on photos or search the internet for others who may have had dealings with them.</li> <li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><strong>Do not open suspicious texts, pop-up windows or emails – delete them:</strong> If unsure, verify the identity of the contact through an independent source such as a phone book or online search. Don't use the contact details provided in the message sent to you.</li> <li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><strong>Keep your personal details secure:</strong> Put a lock on your mailbox and shred your bills and other important documents before throwing them out. Keep your passwords and pin numbers in a safe place. Be very careful about how much personal information you share on social media sites. Scammers can use your information and pictures to create a fake identity or to target you with a scam.</li> <li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><strong>Keep your mobile devices and computers secure:</strong> Always use password protection, don't share access with others (including remotely), update security software and back up content. Protect your WiFi network with a password and avoid using public computers or WiFi hotspots to access online banking or provide personal information.</li> <li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><strong>Choose your passwords carefully:</strong> Choose passwords that would be difficult for others to guess and update them regularly. A strong password should include a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols. Don't use the same password for every account/profile, and don't share your passwords with anyone.</li> <li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><strong>Beware of any requests for your details or money:</strong> Never send money or give credit card details, online account details or copies of personal documents to anyone you don't know or trust. Don't agree to transfer money or goods for someone else: money laundering is a criminal offence.</li> <li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><strong>Be careful when shopping online:</strong> Beware of offers that seem too good to be true, and always use an online shopping service that you know and trust.</li> </ul> <h2 style="margin: 0;padding: 0;display: block;font-family: Helvetica;font-size: 26px;font-style: normal;font-weight: normal;line-height: 125%;letter-spacing: -.75px;text-align: left;color: #2f3d4a !important;">Key features of the new Scamwatch website</h2> <ul> <li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><a href="http://accc.us10.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=2d4af35bb8308428c89cac9a4&id=81b9bba7a9&e=8644bba73b" style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #00749e;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Types of scams</strong></a> - The ACCC provides information on the most common types of scams in circulation in Australia, and collects and publishes data on these scam types.</li> <li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><a href="http://accc.us10.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=2d4af35bb8308428c89cac9a4&id=5f53c2d309&e=8644bba73b" style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #00749e;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Report a scam</strong></a> - If you think you've been scammed or know someone who has, report it to the ACCC using our report a scam page.</li> <li style="-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><a href="http://accc.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2d4af35bb8308428c89cac9a4&id=ed71ce8ab2&e=8644bba73b" style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #00749e;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Get help</strong></a> - If you've been scammed there are steps you can take straight away to reduce the damage and prevent further loss. Find out what you can do to protect yourself, your business or your loved ones from scams.</li> </ul> <p style="margin: 1em 0;padding: 0;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #606060;font-family: Helvetica;font-size: 15px;line-height: 150%;text-align: left;">We also encourage you to sign up for our <a href="http://accc.us10.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=2d4af35bb8308428c89cac9a4&id=19c05ccc16&e=8644bba73b" target="_blank" style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #00749e;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;">Scamwatch radar alerts</a> to stay informed about the latest scams. 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cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="" style="border-collapse: collapse;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <tbody><tr> <td align="center" valign="middle" width="24" class="mcnShareIconContent" style="mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <a href="http://accc.us10.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=2d4af35bb8308428c89cac9a4&id=c460cce1f0&e=8644bba73b" target="_blank" style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><img src="http://cdn-images.mailchimp.com/icons/social-block-v2/color-facebook-48.png" style="display: block;border: 0;outline: none;text-decoration: none;-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;" height="24" width="24" class=""></a> </td> <td align="left" valign="middle" class="mcnShareTextContent" style="padding-left: 5px;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <a href="http://accc.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2d4af35bb8308428c89cac9a4&id=f4eeeb9b7a&e=8644bba73b" target="" style="color: #505050;font-family: Arial;font-size: 12px;font-weight: normal;line-height: 100%;text-decoration: none;word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Share</a> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <!--[if gte mso 6]> </td> <td align="left" valign="top"> <![endif]--> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top" style="padding-right: 9px;padding-bottom: 9px;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;" class="mcnShareContentItemContainer"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="" class="mcnShareContentItem" style="border-collapse: separate;border-radius: 2px;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <tbody><tr> <td align="left" valign="middle" style="padding-top: 5px;padding-right: 9px;padding-bottom: 5px;padding-left: 9px;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="" style="border-collapse: collapse;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <tbody><tr> <td align="center" valign="middle" width="24" class="mcnShareIconContent" style="mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <a href="http://accc.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2d4af35bb8308428c89cac9a4&id=e88f38c26c&e=8644bba73b" target="_blank" style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><img src="http://cdn-images.mailchimp.com/icons/social-block-v2/color-twitter-48.png" style="display: block;border: 0;outline: none;text-decoration: none;-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;" height="24" width="24" class=""></a> </td> <td align="left" valign="middle" class="mcnShareTextContent" style="padding-left: 5px;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <a href="http://accc.us10.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=2d4af35bb8308428c89cac9a4&id=f9db5500f3&e=8644bba73b" target="" style="color: #505050;font-family: Arial;font-size: 12px;font-weight: normal;line-height: 100%;text-decoration: none;word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Tweet</a> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <!--[if gte mso 6]> </td> <td align="left" valign="top"> <![endif]--> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top" style="padding-right: 9px;padding-bottom: 9px;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;" class="mcnShareContentItemContainer"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="" class="mcnShareContentItem" style="border-collapse: separate;border-radius: 2px;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <tbody><tr> <td align="left" valign="middle" style="padding-top: 5px;padding-right: 9px;padding-bottom: 5px;padding-left: 9px;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="" style="border-collapse: collapse;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <tbody><tr> <td align="center" valign="middle" width="24" class="mcnShareIconContent" style="mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <a href="http://accc.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2d4af35bb8308428c89cac9a4&id=9026d42593&e=8644bba73b" target="_blank" style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><img src="http://cdn-images.mailchimp.com/icons/social-block-v2/color-linkedin-48.png" style="display: block;border: 0;outline: none;text-decoration: none;-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;" height="24" width="24" class=""></a> </td> <td align="left" valign="middle" class="mcnShareTextContent" style="padding-left: 5px;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <a href="http://accc.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2d4af35bb8308428c89cac9a4&id=454b63ba34&e=8644bba73b" target="" style="color: #505050;font-family: Arial;font-size: 12px;font-weight: normal;line-height: 100%;text-decoration: none;word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Share</a> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <!--[if gte mso 6]> </td> <td align="left" valign="top"> <![endif]--> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top" style="padding-right: 0;padding-bottom: 9px;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;" class="mcnShareContentItemContainer"> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="" class="mcnShareContentItem" style="border-collapse: separate;border-radius: 2px;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <tbody><tr> <td align="left" valign="middle" style="padding-top: 5px;padding-right: 9px;padding-bottom: 5px;padding-left: 9px;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="" style="border-collapse: collapse;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <tbody><tr> <td align="center" valign="middle" width="24" class="mcnShareIconContent" style="mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <a href="http://us10.forward-to-friend1.com/forward?u=2d4af35bb8308428c89cac9a4&id=fa599c093c&e=8644bba73b" target="_blank" style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><img src="http://cdn-images.mailchimp.com/icons/social-block-v2/color-forwardtofriend-48.png" style="display: block;border: 0;outline: none;text-decoration: none;-ms-interpolation-mode: bicubic;" height="24" width="24" class=""></a> </td> <td align="left" valign="middle" class="mcnShareTextContent" style="padding-left: 5px;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <a href="http://us10.forward-to-friend1.com/forward?u=2d4af35bb8308428c89cac9a4&id=fa599c093c&e=8644bba73b" target="" style="color: #505050;font-family: Arial;font-size: 12px;font-weight: normal;line-height: 100%;text-decoration: none;word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Forward</a> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <!--[if gte mso 6]> </td> <td align="left" valign="top"> <![endif]--> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> 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You have received this email because you have subscribed to receive Scamwatch radar alerts issued by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. You can <a href="http://accc.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2d4af35bb8308428c89cac9a4&id=9d097ec19e&e=8644bba73b" target="_blank" style="word-wrap: break-word;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;color: #00749e;font-weight: normal;text-decoration: underline;">view more news & alerts</a> on the Scamwatch website.<br> <br> If you have any doubts about an email's source, verify the sender by independent means - use their official contact details to check the email is legitimate before clicking on links or opening attachments. </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 0pt;-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%;-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> <tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"> <tr> <td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="padding: 0px 18px 10px;mso-table-lspace: 0pt;mso-table-rspace: 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--> </td> </tr> </table> <!-- // END TEMPLATE --> </td> </tr> </table> </center> <img src="http://accc.us10.list-manage.com/track/open.php?u=2d4af35bb8308428c89cac9a4&id=fa599c093c&e=8644bba73b" height="1" width="1">Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413933668372085164.post-7425562364434254522015-06-09T14:51:00.001+10:002015-06-09T14:51:56.096+10:00SCAMwatch email alert: Would you like to hear about how small businesses are being targeted by scammers [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]<p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><font face="Calibri"><font size="3"><strong>June 2015:</strong> SCAMwatch invites small businesses to view a video of a recent public event.</font></font></p><p> </p><p><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">On 19 May, the ACCC and the Institute of Public Accountants hosted a small business scams and cybercrime forum in Melbourne.</font></font></p><p> </p><p><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">The aim of the forum was to help small business operators and stakeholders understand the scam and cybercrime risks small businesses face, and how they can best protect themselves.</font></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3"></font> </p><p><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">The event featured three expert speakers and a question-and-answer panel discussion.<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Some of the topics and questions covered during the forum included:<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><ul><li><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">What characteristics and management practices make a business vulnerable to scams and cybercrime?</font></font></li><li><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">How can time-poor small businesses protect themselves from cyber threats in few minutes a day?</font></font></li><li><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Real life cybercrime and identity theft case studies and helpful hints.<o:p></o:p></font></font></li></ul><p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">A video (85 minute running time) of the forum is now available on the <a href="http://bit.ly/1BLiy7T">ACCC YouTube channel.</a></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"> </p><h2 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Protect yourself</h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3"><strong><o:p></o:p></strong></font></font> </p><p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">If you are a small business operator or adviser, we encourage you and your staff to watch this video to learn more about the risks that have the potential to impose significant financial, legal and reputational costs on small businesses and their customers.</font></font></p><p> </p><h2>Report</h2><p><font face="Calibri" size="3">You can report small business scams to the ACCC via the SCAMwatch <a href="http://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/694011">report a scam</a></font><font face="Calibri"><font size="3"> page or by calling 1300 795 995.<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><h2> More information<o:p></o:p></h2><p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><font face="Calibri" size="3">Stay one step ahead of scammers, follow <a href="http://twitter.com/SCAMwatch_gov">@SCAMwatch_gov</a></font><font face="Calibri"><font size="3"> on Twitter.<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">You have received this email because you have subscribed to receive SCAMwatch radar alerts on scams targeting Australians. These alerts are issued by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and can be viewed on its SCAMwatch website <a href="http://www.scamwatch.gov.au">http://www.scamwatch.gov.au</a></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3"></font> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">If you have any doubts about an email's source, verify the sender by independent means - use their official contact details to check the email is legitimate before clicking on links or opening attachments. </font></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3"></font> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">If you no longer want to receive SCAMwatch email alerts, please <a href="https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/704128">unsubscribe</a></font><font size="3"><font face="Calibri"> on the SCAMwatch website.<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413933668372085164.post-80487273195928727142015-05-29T16:16:00.003+10:002015-05-29T16:16:32.195+10:00SCAMwatch email alert: Fake Debt Collectors [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]<h1>Fake Debt Collectors</h1><p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><a title="blocked::http://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/914432" href="/content/index.phtml/itemId/1225867"><u><font color="#0000ff" size="3">View radar online</font></u></a><font size="3">.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><font size="3">Added: May 2015</font></p><p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><div class="contentscamwatchLatestNews"><p><strong>May 2015:</strong> SCAMwatch is warning of phone calls from scammers claiming to collect debts. </p><p>Recently scammers have been cold calling, claiming to be from energy providers,telecommunication providers or even government departments. Scamwatch have received reports of these phone calls demanding payments for overdue accounts and using the threat of disconnection to try to convince people to pay. These calls are targeting both individuals and businesses. </p><p>On some occasions it has been reported that the caller was from Centrelink and that pension payments would be stopped unless the debt was paid. Other examples include threats of arrest or court action for unpaid fines or bills or the threat of disconnection to essential services. What appears to be common to al lthese scams is the use of threats to create a sense of urgency so the recipient of the call doesn't have the time to check the authenticity of the demand. </p><p>If you receive any phone calls claiming you owe money for your energy or phone bill you should investigate this independently. You should call your provider usingthe phone number found on your bills or on their website. Do not provide any personal or financial details over the phone. </p><h2>How these scams work </h2><ul><li>You receive an unexpected phone call from a person claiming you owe money for your phone or energy bill.</li><li>The phone numbers they use will appear local but this doesn't make the demand any more legitimate. </li><li>The caller may be very threatening saying that if you do not pay you will be disconnected, receive a fine or your government benefits will cease. </li><li>The scammer will provide some bank account details that they want you to pay to or ask you to pay by wire transfer. </li></ul><h2>Protect yourself </h2><ul><li>If you receive a phone call asking to pay an overdue account, check its legitimacy by contacting your supplier using telephone numbers you know from bills you have received, the phone book or that you have found independently from an online search. </li><li>Never give your personal, credit card or online account details over the phone unless you made the call and the phone number came from a trusted source. </li><li>If you think you have provided your account details to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately. </li><li>Do not send money via a wire transfer to pay a bill. </li></ul><h2>Report </h2><p>You can report scams to the ACCC via the SCAMwatch <a href="/content/index.phtml/itemId/694011">report a scam</a> page or by calling 1300 795 995. </p><h2>More information </h2><p>See the Western Australia Department of Commerce media release: <a href="http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/announcements/pensioner-loses-15000-telco-phone-scam">Pensioner loses $15000 to phone-scam </a></p><p>Stay one step ahead of scammers, follow <a href="http://twitter.com/SCAMwatch_gov">@SCAMwatch_gov</a> on Twitter.</p><p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">______________________________________________<span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";'><o:p></o:p></span></font></font></p><p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">If you no longer want to receive SCAMwatch email alerts, please </font><a title="blocked::http://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/704128" href="/content/index.phtml/itemId/704128"><span style="color: blue;"><u><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">unsubscribe</font></u></span></a><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"> on the SCAMwatch website.<span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";'><o:p></o:p></span></font></font></p><p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413933668372085164.post-52435440116193215302015-05-29T16:16:00.001+10:002015-05-29T16:16:31.656+10:00SCAMwatch email alert: Fake Debt Collectors [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]<h1>Fake Debt Collectors</h1><p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><a title="blocked::http://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/914432" href="/content/index.phtml/itemId/1225867"><u><font color="#0000ff" size="3">View radar online</font></u></a><font size="3">.<o:p></o:p></font></p><p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><font size="3">Added: May 2015</font></p><p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><div class="contentscamwatchLatestNews"><p><strong>May 2015:</strong> SCAMwatch is warning of phone calls from scammers claiming to collect debts. </p><p>Recently scammers have been cold calling, claiming to be from energy providers,telecommunication providers or even government departments. Scamwatch have received reports of these phone calls demanding payments for overdue accounts and using the threat of disconnection to try to convince people to pay. These calls are targeting both individuals and businesses. </p><p>On some occasions it has been reported that the caller was from Centrelink and that pension payments would be stopped unless the debt was paid. Other examples include threats of arrest or court action for unpaid fines or bills or the threat of disconnection to essential services. What appears to be common to al lthese scams is the use of threats to create a sense of urgency so the recipient of the call doesn't have the time to check the authenticity of the demand. </p><p>If you receive any phone calls claiming you owe money for your energy or phone bill you should investigate this independently. You should call your provider usingthe phone number found on your bills or on their website. Do not provide any personal or financial details over the phone. </p><h2>How these scams work </h2><ul><li>You receive an unexpected phone call from a person claiming you owe money for your phone or energy bill.</li><li>The phone numbers they use will appear local but this doesn't make the demand any more legitimate. </li><li>The caller may be very threatening saying that if you do not pay you will be disconnected, receive a fine or your government benefits will cease. </li><li>The scammer will provide some bank account details that they want you to pay to or ask you to pay by wire transfer. </li></ul><h2>Protect yourself </h2><ul><li>If you receive a phone call asking to pay an overdue account, check its legitimacy by contacting your supplier using telephone numbers you know from bills you have received, the phone book or that you have found independently from an online search. </li><li>Never give your personal, credit card or online account details over the phone unless you made the call and the phone number came from a trusted source. </li><li>If you think you have provided your account details to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately. </li><li>Do not send money via a wire transfer to pay a bill. </li></ul><h2>Report </h2><p>You can report scams to the ACCC via the SCAMwatch <a href="/content/index.phtml/itemId/694011">report a scam</a> page or by calling 1300 795 995. </p><h2>More information </h2><p>See the Western Australia Department of Commerce media release: <a href="http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/announcements/pensioner-loses-15000-telco-phone-scam">Pensioner loses $15000 to phone-scam </a></p><p>Stay one step ahead of scammers, follow <a href="http://twitter.com/SCAMwatch_gov">@SCAMwatch_gov</a> on Twitter.</p><p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3">______________________________________________<span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";'><o:p></o:p></span></font></font></p><p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">If you no longer want to receive SCAMwatch email alerts, please </font><a title="blocked::http://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/704128" href="/content/index.phtml/itemId/704128"><span style="color: blue;"><u><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">unsubscribe</font></u></span></a><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"> on the SCAMwatch website.<span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";'><o:p></o:p></span></font></font></p><p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413933668372085164.post-3009642481707719722015-05-18T10:21:00.001+10:002015-05-18T10:21:43.160+10:00SCAMwatch email alert: Fraud week 2015 [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]<font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> <p><span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;'>Dear SCAMwatch radar subscriber,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;'>Did you know May 18 – 24 is Fraud Week? <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;'>Fraud Week is an initiative of the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce (ACFT) and is a national campaign aimed at raising awareness of consumer fraud. Over100 government and industry bodies which work side by side to promote consumer protection. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;'>The theme for the 2015 campaign is 'get smarter with your data' and will focus on the importance of protecting your personal information. We want to help Australians understand how valuable their personal information is to scammers, and provide them with some practical guidance on how to minimise the risk of becoming a victim of identity crime.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;'>To leave scammers out in the cold, follow SCAMwatch's Top 6 Protect Yourself tips:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-indent: -36pt; margin-left: 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;'><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;'>Keep your personal details secure<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-indent: -36pt; margin-left: 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;'><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;'>Think twice about what you say and do in an online environment<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-indent: -36pt; margin-left: 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;'><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;'>Keep your mobile devices and computers secure<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-indent: -36pt; margin-left: 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;'><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;'>Choose your passwords carefully<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-indent: -36pt; margin-left: 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;'><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;'>Beware of any request for your details or money<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-indent: -36pt; margin-left: 54pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;'><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;'>Get a copy of your credit report<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";'><o:p><font face="Times New Roman"> </font></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";'>For more information on Fraud Week, and on how to get smarter with your data, visit our website at </span><a href="http://www.scamwatch.gov.au/fraudweek2015"><span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";'><u><font color="#0000ff">www.scamwatch.gov.au/fraudweek2015</font></u></span></a><span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";'>.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";'><o:p><font face="Times New Roman"> </font></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";'>Stay ahead of scammers. Follow </span><a href="http://twitter.com/SCAMwatch_gov"><span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";'><u><font color="#0000ff">@SCAMwatch_gov</font></u></span></a><span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";'> on Twitter.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";'></span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";'><o:p><span style='font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;'></span></o:p></span> </p> </font> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413933668372085164.post-82467203561381409562015-05-01T16:12:00.001+10:002015-05-01T16:12:07.204+10:00Southeast QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Heavy Rain<table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" width="620"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="notwhitelabel" valign="top"><a href="http://www.ewn.com.au"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://www.ewn.com.au/images/header_ewn_weather.png" width="620" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="370"><img class="appdelete" src="http://www.ewn.com.au/images/ad_space.png" /><br /> <font face="Verdana" size="4"><strong>Southeast QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Heavy Rain </strong></font></td> <td align="right" class="appdelete" valign="top" width="250"><a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/info/facebook.aspx"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.ewn.com.au/images/ad_facebook.jpg" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" colspan="2" valign="top"><font color="#303030" face="Verdana" size="2"><strong>Source: Bureau of Meteorology</strong> </font> <hr /><br /> <font color="#303030" face="Verdana" size="2">For people in parts of the<br /> Sunshine Coast,<br /> Brisbane City and<br /> Moreton Bay Council Areas.<br /> <br /> Issued at 3:53 pm Friday, 1 May 2015.<br /> <br /> The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 3:45 pm, very dangerous thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near Caboolture, Peachester, Landsborough, Crohamhurst, Maleny and Montville. Very dangerous thunderstorms are forecast to affect Strathpine, Kallangur, Wamuran and Mapleton by 4:15 pm and Aspley, Albany Creek, Brighton, Lake Samsonvale, Beachmere and Palmwoods by 4:45 pm.<br /> <br /> Heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding. Rainfall totals of more than 100mm per hour have been recored in the area.<br /> <br /> Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:<br /> * Avoid driving, walking or riding through flood waters.<br /> * Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.<br /> * Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm.<br /> * Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.<br /> * For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/alerts/">EWN Radar & Alerts Map</a> <span class="notwhitelabel">| <a href="http://www.facebook.com/alerts.qld">QLD Facebook Alerts</a> | <a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/info/twitter.aspx">Twitter Alerts</a></span></font></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="notwhitelabel" valign="top"><a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/mobile/iphone_android_apps.aspx"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://www.ewn.com.au/images/footer_apps.jpg" width="620" /></a><br /> <font color="#303030" face="verdana" size="1"><a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/user/unsubscribe.aspx?vk=110250-28635921-82816-MTEwMjUwLTI4NjM1OTIxLTgyODE2">Unsubscribe</a> | <a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/support/">EWN Support</a> | <a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/register/">Register</a> </font></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p><a href="http://alerts3.ewn.com.au/bom_maps/201505/01155904_IDQ65621.gif"><img border="0" src="http://alerts3.ewn.com.au/bom_maps/201505/01155904_IDQ65621.gif" /></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413933668372085164.post-76529881361956014582015-05-01T13:07:00.001+10:002015-05-01T13:07:40.719+10:00Google Alert - "Queensland Scam"<div> <!--[if mso]> <table><tr><td width=650> <![endif]--> <div style="width:100%;max-width:650px"> <div style="font-family:Arial"> <table style="border-collapse:collapse;border-left:1px solid #e4e4e4;border-right:1px solid #e4e4e4"> <tr> <td style="background-color:#f8f8f8;padding-left:18px;border-bottom:1px solid #e4e4e4;border-top:1px solid #e4e4e4"></td> <td valign="middle" style="padding:13px 10px 8px 0px;background-color:#f8f8f8;border-top:1px solid #e4e4e4;border-bottom:1px solid #e4e4e4"> <a href="https://www.google.com.au/alerts?source=alertsmail&hl=en&gl=AU&msgid=MTc0ODYzOTM4MzU0NDcyMTAzNQ" style="text-decoration:none"> <img src="https://www.google.com/intl/en_au/alerts/logo.png?cd=KhMxNzQ4NjM5MzgzNTQ0NzIxMDM1" alt="Google" border="0" height="25"> </a> </td> <td style="background-color:#f8f8f8;padding-left:18px;border-top:1px solid #e4e4e4;border-bottom:1px solid #e4e4e4"></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-left:32px"></td> <td style="padding:18px 0px 0px 0px;vertical-align:middle;line-height:20px;font-family:Arial"> <span style="color:#262626;font-size:22px">"Queensland Scam"</span> <div style="vertical-align:top;padding-top:6px;color:#aaa;font-size:12px;line-height:16px"> <span>As-it-happens update</span> <span style="padding:0px 4px 0px 4px">⋅</span> <a style="color:#aaa;text-decoration:none">1 May 2015</a> </div> </td> <td style="padding-left:32px"></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-left:18px"></td> <td style="padding:16px 0px 12px 0px;border-bottom:1px solid #e4e4e4"> <span style="font-size:12px;color:#737373"> NEWS </span> </td> <td style="padding-right:18px"></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="padding-left:18px"></td> <td style="padding:18px 0px 12px 0px;vertical-align:top;font-family:Arial"> <a href="https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/scam-threatens-older-residents-with-tax-fraud-prosecution-20150501-1mxno7.html&ct=ga&cd=CAEYACoTMTc0ODYzOTM4MzU0NDcyMTAzNTIdMGI5Nzk3NjQ1Njg1OTBiMjpjb20uYXU6ZW46QVU&usg=AFQjCNHDthiD7EA6k63Y8g0l0qXSoCkTwA" style="text-decoration:none"> <table align="right" style="display:inline;border-collapse:collapse"> <tr> <td style="padding-left:18px"></td> <td background="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSQO2w0H85mlTD-xM0nRx7GYcIxmNjwIJHP9dAm6qU2Ux-3pOnycxpdqUXucjY5_OEwHkAQAQI" height="100" width="100" valign="bottom" style="padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;background-repeat:no-repeat;text-align:center;border:1px solid #e4e4e4"> <!--[if gte mso 9]> <v:image xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" id="theImage" style='behavior: url(#default#VML); display:inline-block; position:absolute; height: 100px; width: 100px; top:0; left:0; border:0; z-index:1;' src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images%3Fq%3Dtbn:ANd9GcSQO2w0H85mlTD-xM0nRx7GYcIxmNjwIJHP9dAm6qU2Ux-3pOnycxpdqUXucjY5_OEwHkAQAQI"/> <v:rect xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" style='behavior: url(#default#VML); display:inline-block; position: absolute; top: 82px; left: 0px; width:100px; border:0; z-index:2;' strokecolor="none"> <v:fill opacity="50%" color="#000000"/> <v:textbox style="mso-fit-shape-to-text:t; mso-column-margin: 0pt; letter-spacing: 0.8px;" inset="0pt,0pt,0pt,0pt"> <font size="-1" color="#ffffff">Brisbane Times</font> </v:textbox> </v:rect> <div style="display: none"> <![endif]--> <div style="color:#fff;font-size:9px;letter-spacing:0.8px"> <div style="padding:3px 0px 4px 4px;background:rgb(255,255,255);background-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.5);width:96px">Brisbane Times</div> </div> <!--[if gte mso 9]></div><![endif]--> </td> </tr> </table> </a> <div> <span style="padding:0px 6px 0px 0px"> <a href="https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/scam-threatens-older-residents-with-tax-fraud-prosecution-20150501-1mxno7.html&ct=ga&cd=CAEYACoTMTc0ODYzOTM4MzU0NDcyMTAzNTIdMGI5Nzk3NjQ1Njg1OTBiMjpjb20uYXU6ZW46QVU&usg=AFQjCNHDthiD7EA6k63Y8g0l0qXSoCkTwA" style="color:#427fed;display:inline;text-decoration:none;font-size:16px;line-height:20px">Scam threatens older residents with tax fraud prosecution</a> </span> <div> <div style="padding:2px 0px 8px 0px"> <div style="color:#737373;font-size:12px"> <a style="text-decoration:none;color:#737373">Brisbane Times</a> </div> <div style="color:#252525;padding:2px 0px 0px 0px;font-size:12px;line-height:18px">Scammers pretending to be the ATO are calling South Brisbane residents and demanding money via a prepaid Visa. Photo: Jessica Shapiro.</div> </div> <table> <tr> <td width="16" style="padding-right:6px"> <a href="https://www.google.com.au/alerts/share?hl=en&gl=AU&ru=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/scam-threatens-older-residents-with-tax-fraud-prosecution-20150501-1mxno7.html&ss=gp&rt=Scam+threatens+older+residents+with+tax+fraud+prosecution&cd=KhMxNzQ4NjM5MzgzNTQ0NzIxMDM1Mh0wYjk3OTc2NDU2ODU5MGIyOmNvbS5hdTplbjpBVQ&ssp=AMJHsmWe4NUwYeHQdweU86r-eTtVuFww4Q" style="text-decoration:none"> <img alt="Google Plus" src="https://www.gstatic.com/alerts/images/gp-24.png" border="0" height="16" width="16"></a> </td> <td width="16" style="padding-right:6px"> <a 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href="https://www.google.com.au/alerts?source=alertsmail&hl=en&gl=AU&msgid=MTc0ODYzOTM4MzU0NDcyMTAzNQ&s=AB2Xq4hzQVdA0mLZI-Xh87i7J0fX6AjsY_heuck&ffu=" style="text-decoration:none;color:#427fed"> <div style="display:inline;line-height:16px;vertical-align:middle">Send Feedback</div> </a> </td> </tr> </table> </div> </div> <!--[if mso]> </td></tr></table> <![endif]--> </div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413933668372085164.post-44276352236554443162015-05-01T11:45:00.000+10:002015-05-01T11:46:01.719+10:00QLD Severe Weather Warning: Damaging Winds & Heavy Rain<table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" width="620"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="notwhitelabel" valign="top"><a href="http://www.ewn.com.au"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://www.ewn.com.au/images/header_ewn_weather.png" width="620" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="370"><img class="appdelete" src="http://www.ewn.com.au/images/ad_space.png" /><br /> <font face="Verdana" size="4"><strong>QLD Severe Weather Warning: Damaging Winds & Heavy Rain </strong></font></td> <td align="right" class="appdelete" valign="top" width="250"><a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/info/facebook.aspx"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.ewn.com.au/images/ad_facebook.jpg" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" colspan="2" valign="top"><font color="#303030" face="Verdana" size="2"><strong>Source: Bureau of Meteorology</strong> </font> <hr /><br /> <font color="#303030" face="Verdana" size="2">For people in the<br /> Wide Bay and Burnett,<br /> Southeast Coast and parts of the<br /> Darling Downs and Granite Belt Forecast Districts.<br /> <br /> Issued at 11:16 am Friday, 1 May 2015.<br /> <br /> Synoptic Situation:<br /> <br /> A surface low is expected to deepen near Fraser Island and move southwards along Queensland's south coast during the evening and overnight. The low is supported by a strong upper trough moving across the southern Queensland. The upper trough together with the low will move away from the south coast during Saturday.<br /> <br /> Heavy rain, which may lead to flash flooding, is expected over areas of the southeast corner, from about Bundaberg to Dalby to Stanthorpe. Further falls of 50 to 150mm are likely, with isolated falls between 200 to 300mm possible, mainly about the coast and with thunderstorms.<br /> <br /> Falls of between 100mm to 200mm have been recorded around the Sunshine Coast region since yesterday.<br /> <br /> The heavy rain areas should contract towards the Gold Coast by later tonight and are expected to move off the Gold Coast during Saturday morning.<br /> <br /> Damaging winds, with peak gusts of around 90km/h are possible near coastal areas as the low moves southwards later today and tonight.<br /> <br /> The low is likely to generate large swells causing dangerous surf about the Fraser Island, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast beaches. The dangerous surf conditions are likely to produce significant beach erosion for these areas. Water levels could exceed the highest tide of the year by around half a metre during this evening's high tide.<br /> <br /> A Flood Watch is current for parts of the Wide Bay and Burnett, Southeast Coast and the Darling Downs and Granite Belt forecast districts.<br /> <br /> Locations which may be affected include Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Brisbane, Caboolture, Dalby, Maroochydore, Gympie, Noosa, Hervey Bay, Bundaberg, Kingaroy and Stanthorpe.<br /> <br /> The Severe Weather Warning for the Central Highlands and Coalfields has now been cancelled.<br /> <br /> Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:<br /> * Move your car under cover or away from trees.<br /> * Secure loose outdoor items.<br /> * Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.<br /> * Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.<br /> * Avoid driving, walking or riding through flood waters.<br /> * Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.<br /> * Surf Life Saving Australia recommends that you stay out of the water and stay well away from surf-exposed areas.<br /> * Check your property regularly for erosion or inundation by sea water, and if necessary raise goods and electrical items.<br /> * For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/alerts/">EWN Radar & Alerts Map</a> <span class="notwhitelabel">| <a href="http://www.facebook.com/alerts.qld">QLD Facebook Alerts</a> | <a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/info/twitter.aspx">Twitter Alerts</a></span></font></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="notwhitelabel" valign="top"><a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/mobile/iphone_android_apps.aspx"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://www.ewn.com.au/images/footer_apps.jpg" width="620" /></a><br /> <font color="#303030" face="verdana" size="1"><a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/user/unsubscribe.aspx?vk=110150-28375193-82816-MTEwMTUwLTI4Mzc1MTkzLTgyODE2">Unsubscribe</a> | <a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/support/">EWN Support</a> | <a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/register/">Register</a> </font></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p><a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/images/maps/qld/qld-forecast-map.png"><img border="0" src="http://www.bom.gov.au/images/maps/qld/qld-forecast-map.png" /></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413933668372085164.post-53702508825570450912015-04-30T12:16:00.001+10:002015-04-30T12:16:15.387+10:00QLD Severe Weather Warning: Heavy Rain & Damaging Winds<table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" width="620"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="notwhitelabel" valign="top"><a href="http://www.ewn.com.au"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://www.ewn.com.au/images/header_ewn_weather.png" width="620" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="370"><img class="appdelete" src="http://www.ewn.com.au/images/ad_space.png" /><br /> <font face="Verdana" size="4"><strong>QLD Severe Weather Warning: Heavy Rain & Damaging Winds </strong></font></td> <td align="right" class="appdelete" valign="top" width="250"><a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/info/facebook.aspx"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.ewn.com.au/images/ad_facebook.jpg" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" colspan="2" valign="top"><font color="#303030" face="Verdana" size="2"><strong>Source: Bureau of Meteorology</strong> </font> <hr /><br /> <font color="#303030" face="Verdana" size="2">For people in the<br /> Southeast Coast and parts of the<br /> Wide Bay and Burnett and<br /> Darling Downs and Granite Belt Forecast Districts.<br /> <br /> Issued at 11:26 am Thursday, 30 April 2015.<br /> <br /> Synoptic Situation:<br /> <br /> A strong upper trough will move east into the southeastern interior of Queensland on Friday and then will move off the southern coast during Saturday. A surface trough will deepen near Fraser Island during Friday, with a low pressure system most likely developing and slipping southwards over southern Queensland waters during Friday evening and Saturday morning.<br /> <br /> A moist wind flow to the south of the surface trough is expected to combine with the upper feature to generate heavy rain, which may lead to flash flooding, over areas southeast of about Hervey Bay to Dalby to Warwick on Friday. 24 hour totals of 50 to 150mm are likely over inland parts, increasing to 200 to 400mm nearer to the coast with some isolated heavier falls possible.<br /> <br /> The heavy rain areas should contract southeast during Friday, gradually clearing the Gold Coast during Saturday morning.<br /> <br /> Damaging winds, with peak gusts of around 90km/h are possible from tomorrow afternoon near coastal areas as the surface trough develops offshore.<br /> <br /> The low will also most likely generate large swells as it slips southwards during Friday and early Saturday, with dangerous surf developing about Fraser Island, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast beaches.<br /> <br /> Locally heavy falls are also expected today though are more likely to be associated with thunderstorms. Severe thunderstorm warnings will be issued as necessary.<br /> <br /> A Flood Watch is current for parts of the Capricornia, Central Highlands and Coalfields, Wide Bay and Burnett, Southeast Coast, Darling Downs and Granite Belt and Maranoa and Warrego forecast districts.<br /> <br /> Locations which may be affected include Warwick, Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Brisbane, Dalby, Maroochydore, Gympie, Kingaroy and Hervey Bay waters.<br /> <br /> Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:<br /> * Move your car under cover or away from trees.<br /> * Secure loose outdoor items.<br /> * Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.<br /> * Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.<br /> * Avoid driving, walking or riding through flood waters.<br /> * Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.<br /> * Surf Life Saving Australia recommends that you stay out of the water and stay well away from surf-exposed areas.<br /> * Check your property regularly for erosion or inundation by sea water, and if necessary raise goods and electrical items.<br /> * For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/alerts/">EWN Radar & Alerts Map</a> <span class="notwhitelabel">| <a href="http://www.facebook.com/alerts.qld">QLD Facebook Alerts</a> | <a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/info/twitter.aspx">Twitter Alerts</a></span></font></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="notwhitelabel" valign="top"><a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/mobile/iphone_android_apps.aspx"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://www.ewn.com.au/images/footer_apps.jpg" width="620" /></a><br /> <font color="#303030" face="verdana" size="1"><a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/user/unsubscribe.aspx?vk=109937-28083419-82816-MTA5OTM3LTI4MDgzNDE5LTgyODE2">Unsubscribe</a> | <a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/support/">EWN Support</a> | <a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/register/">Register</a> </font></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p><a href="http://www.bom.gov.au/images/maps/qld/qld-forecast-map.png"><img border="0" src="http://www.bom.gov.au/images/maps/qld/qld-forecast-map.png" /></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413933668372085164.post-91815510274527198452015-04-23T13:17:00.001+10:002015-04-23T13:17:16.736+10:00SCAMwatch email alert: Immigration scam targets migrants [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]<font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Arial"><font size="3">The ACCC and the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) have been getting reports of scammers claiming to be government officials. The scammers call migrants and temporary visa holders and threaten them with deportation supposedly because of problems with their immigration paperwork or visa status. <o:p></o:p></font></font><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Arial" size="3"> </font></o:p><font face="Arial"><font size="3">Scammers are demanding up-front fees of around $1,000 to resubmit forms. These scam phone calls appear to be targeting people from India and Pakistan. The ACCC has received 150 reports of this scam since February with more than $35,000 reported lost.<o:p></o:p></font></font><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Arial"><font size="3">Scammers may try to pressure you by calling repeatedly and harassing you, even threatening to send the police to your house – but if you give your money to a scammer you will never see it again. The DIBP has confirmed that it does not ask for any payment of fines or penalties by telephone.<o:p></o:p></font></font><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Arial"><font size="3">Be on guard, if you receive a phone call from someone threatening you with deportation and asking you to pay a fee, hang up and do not respond. If in doubt, don't use any contact details provided by the caller - look up the government department or organisation yourself in the phone book or online and phone or email them. <o:p></o:p></font></font><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Arial"><font size="3"><strong>How these scams work<o:p></o:p></strong></font></font></p><p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Arial"><font size="3">You receive a call out of the blue from someone claiming to be from the "Department of Immigration".<o:p></o:p></font></font></div></li><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"></font><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Arial"><font size="3">You may be left a message on your answering machine asking you to ring a number.<o:p></o:p></font></font></div></li><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"></font><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Arial"><font size="3">The caller will claim that you have issues with your immigration forms or visa status.</font></font></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Arial"><font size="3">The scammer will tell you that in order to resolve the matter you will need to pay a fee or fine.<o:p></o:p></font></font></div></li><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"></font><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Arial"><font size="3">The caller may try to get information from you like your passport details, date of birth or bank information. <o:p></o:p></font></font></div></li><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"></font><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Arial"><font size="3">The caller may claim the police will come to your door and arrest you if you do not pay the fee or fine immediately. <o:p></o:p></font></font></div></li><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"></font><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Arial"><font size="3">The caller may even offer to send a taxi to your house to take you to the nearest post office to make a payment via wire transfer or other electronic payment method. <o:p></o:p></font></font></div></li><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"></font><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Arial"><font size="3">If you send any money via wire transfer, you will never see it again – it's nearly impossible to recover money sent this way. <o:p></o:p></font></font></div></li><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"></font><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Arial"><font size="3">If you provide any personal information, the scammer may use it to commit identity theft. <o:p></o:p></font></font></div></li></ul><p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Arial"><font size="3"><strong>Protect yourself<o:p></o:p></strong></font></font></p><p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Arial"><font size="3">If you receive a phone call out of the blue from someone claiming to be from the DIBP telling you that you will be deported unless you pay a fine, hang up.<o:p></o:p></font></font></div></li><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"></font><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Arial"><font size="3">If you have any doubts about the identity of any caller who claims to represent a government department, contact the department directly. Don't rely on numbers, email addresses or websites provided by the caller – find them through an independent source such as a phone book or online search.<o:p></o:p></font></font></div></li><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"></font><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Arial"><font size="3">Never send any money via wire transfer to anyone you do not know or trust.<o:p></o:p></font></font></div></li><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"></font><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Arial"><font size="3">Never give your personal information or bank account details over the phone unless you made the call and the phone number came from a trusted source. If you think you have provided your details to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately.<o:p></o:p></font></font></div></li></ul><p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"></font> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Arial"><font size="3"><strong>Report<o:p></o:p></strong></font></font></p><p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><font face="Arial" size="3"></font></p><p><font face="Arial" size="3">You can report immigration fraud matters to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection through their </font><a href="http://www.immi.gov.au/Help/Pages/immigration-dob-in-service.aspx"><u><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial" size="3">Immigration Dob-In Service</font></u></a><font face="Arial"><font size="3">.<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><font face="Arial" size="3"></font></p><p><font face="Arial" size="3">You can report scams to the ACCC via the </font><a href="https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/694011"><u><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial" size="3">SCAMwatch report a scam page </font></u></a><font face="Arial"><font size="3">or by calling 1300 795 995.<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Arial"><font size="3"><strong>More information<o:p></o:p></strong></font></font></p><p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><font face="Arial" size="3"><br>Stay one step ahead of scammers, follow </font><a href="http://twitter.com/SCAMwatch_gov"><u><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial" size="3">@SCAMwatch_gov</font></u></a><font size="3"><font face="Arial"> on Twitter.</font></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><font size="3"><font face="Arial"></font></font> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"> </p><font size="3"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"> </font><font face="Times New Roman">If you no longer want to receive SCAMwatch email alerts, please </font><a title="blocked::http://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/704128" href="http://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/704128"><span style="color: blue;"><u><font face="Times New Roman">unsubscribe</font></u></span></a><font face="Times New Roman"> on the SCAMwatch website.<span style='font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></font></p></font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"> </p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413933668372085164.post-29056507575162608562015-04-13T14:17:00.001+10:002015-04-13T14:17:56.021+10:00SCAMwatch email alert: Telephone calls alleging fake arrest warrants used to scam money [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]<font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><b><span style='color: green; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>Telephone calls alleging fake arrest warrants used to scam money<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'><o:p><font face="Calibri"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>April 2015:</span></b><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;'> SCAMwatch is warning consumers to be aware of calls from scammers falsely claiming to be from the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) or Australian Tax Office (ATO).<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;'><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>Scammers have recently been calling Australians telling them that there is a warrant out for their arrest. Many people have reported to SCAMwatch that messages have been recorded on their answering machines asking them to call back later. The telephone number provided is 0261003027 and they ask you to call during office hours to discuss the matter further. However, the telephone number has no connection with the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, Australian Taxation Office or any other state or commonwealth department. <o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;'><o:p><font face="Calibri"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>The scammers may spin a range of stories about why an arrest warrant has been issued, including that you have failed to pay taxes. <br> <br> Scammers typically ask for money to be sent via wire transfer as it's nearly impossible to recover money sent this way. They may also ask for people's financial and other personal details to access their money and use this information to commit other scams.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;'><o:p><font face="Calibri"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>Be on guard, if you receive a phone call from someone saying you have an arrest warrant and asking you to pay a fee, hang up and do not respond. If in doubt, don't use the contact details provided - look up the government department or organisation yourself in the phone book or online and phone or email them.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;"> <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <!--[endif]--></span></b><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;'><o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(240, 240, 240); margin: 6pt 0cm 5.25pt; mso-outline-level: 2;"><b><span style='color: green; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>How these scams work<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0cm 6pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>You receive a call out of the blue from someone claiming to be from the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions or the Australian Taxation Office. <o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0cm 6pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>The call may sound like it is an automated message with an American accent.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0cm 6pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>The caller or sender will claim that you have an arrest warrant for some reason.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0cm 6pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>The scammer will ask you to telephone a number that appears to be Australian but is likely to be a VOIP number.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0cm 6pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>The number reported is 02 6100 3027. This is not the correct number for the CDPP.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0cm 6pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>The scammer will tell you that in order to resolve the matter you will need to pay a fee.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0cm 6pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>You may also be asked to provide your bank account details or other personal information so they can confirm they have the right person.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0cm 6pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>If you send any money via wire transfer, you will never see it again – it's nearly impossible to recover money sent this way. You will also never receive the promised rebate or refund.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0cm 6pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>If you provide your bank account details or other personal information, the scammer may use it to commit identity theft or to steal your money. <o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(240, 240, 240); margin: 6pt 0cm 5.25pt; mso-outline-level: 2;"><b><span style='color: green; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>Protect yourself<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0cm 6pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>If you receive a phone call or email out of the blue from someone claiming to be from the Commonwealth Department of Public Prosecutions or Australian Taxation Office telling you about an arrest warrant, hang up.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0cm 6pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>If you receive a message on your phone asking you to telephone 02 6100 3027, delete the message.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0cm 6pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>If you have any doubts about the identity of any caller who claims to represent a government department, contact the body directly. Don't rely on numbers, email addresses or websites provided by the caller – find them through an independent source such as a phone book or online search.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0cm 6pt;"><span lang="EN" style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-ansi-language: EN;'>The CDPP is advising people to be vigilant when receiving phone calls of this nature and if in doubt about the authenticity of a call that you receive from the CDPP, </span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;'><a href="http://www.cdpp.gov.au/contact-us/"><span lang="EN" style='mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-ansi-font-size: 10.0pt;'><u><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial">contact</font></u></span></a></span><span lang="EN" style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'> </span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>them </span><span lang="EN" style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-ansi-language: EN;'>on one of the publically listed phone numbers or email </span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;'><a href="mailto:inquiries@cdpp.gov.au"><i><span lang="EN" style='mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-font-size: 10.0pt;'><u><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial">inquiries@cdpp.gov.au</font></u></span></i></a></span><span lang="EN" style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-ansi-language: EN;'>.</span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'><o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0cm 6pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>Never send any money via wire transfer to anyone you do not know or trust.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 3pt 0cm 6pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>Never give your personal, credit card or online account details over the phone unless you made the call and the phone number came from a trusted source. If you think you have provided your account details to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: rgb(240, 240, 240); margin: 6pt 0cm 5.25pt; text-indent: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-list: none;"><b><span style='color: green; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>Report<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-indent: 0cm; mso-list: none; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>You can report scams to the ACCC via the </span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;'><a href="https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/694011"><span style='text-decoration: none; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; text-underline: none; mso-ansi-font-size: 10.0pt;'><u><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial">SCAMwatch report a scam page </font></u></span></a></span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>or by calling 1300 795 995.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: rgb(240, 240, 240); margin: 6pt 0cm 5.25pt; text-indent: 0cm; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-list: none;"><b><span style='color: green; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>More information<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 0pt; text-indent: 0cm; mso-list: none;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>See advice at the <a href="http://www.cdpp.gov.au/news/alert-hoax-cdpp-phone-calls/"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><u><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial">Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions</font></u></span></a><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);"> </span>website.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 0pt; text-indent: 0cm; mso-list: none;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;'><o:p><font face="Calibri"> </font></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-indent: 0cm; mso-list: none; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>Stay one step ahead of scammers, follow </span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;'><a href="http://twitter.com/SCAMwatch_gov"><span style='text-decoration: none; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; text-underline: none; mso-ansi-font-size: 10.0pt;'><u><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial">@SCAMwatch_gov</font></u></span></a></span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'> on Twitter. <o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>You have received this email because you have subscribed to receive SCAMwatch radar alerts on scams targeting Australians. These alerts are issued by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and can be viewed on its SCAMwatch website http://www.scamwatch.gov.au.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>If you have any doubts about an email's source, verify the sender by independent means - use their official contact details to check the email is legitimate before clicking on links or opening attachments. <o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;'>If you no longer want to receive SCAMwatch email alerts, please unsubscribe on the SCAMwatch website.<o:p></o:p></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413933668372085164.post-40821528147467069932015-04-13T14:04:00.003+10:002015-04-13T14:04:54.563+10:00SCAMwatch email alert: Telephone calls alleging fake arrest warrants used to scam money [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]<font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"> </p><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"> </p><o:p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><b><span style='color: green; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'><font size="3">Telephone calls alleging fake arrest warrants used to scam money<o:p></o:p></font></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'><o:p><font face="Calibri"> </font></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;'>April 2015:</span></b><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;'> SCAMwatch is warning consumers to be aware of calls from scammers falsely claiming to be from the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) or Australian Tax Office (ATO).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;'>Scammers have recently been calling Australians telling them that there is a warrant out for their arrest. Many people have reported to SCAMwatch that messages have been recorded on their answering machines asking them to call back later. The telephone number provided is 0261003027 and they ask you to call during office hours to discuss the matter further. However, the telephone number has no connection with the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, Australian Taxation Office or any other state or commonwealth department. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;'>The scammers may spin a range of stories about why an arrest warrant has been issued, including that you have failed to pay taxes. <br> <br> Scammers typically ask for money to be sent via wire transfer as it's nearly impossible to recover money sent this way. They may also ask for people's financial and other personal details to access their money and use this information to commit other scams.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;'>Be on guard, if you receive a phone call from someone saying you have an arrest warrant and asking you to pay a fee, hang up and do not respond. If in doubt, don't use the contact details provided - look up the government department or organisation yourself in the phone book or online and phone or email them.<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <!--[endif]--></span></b><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(240, 240, 240); margin: 6pt 0cm 5.25pt; mso-outline-level: 2;"><b><span style='color: green; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>How these scams work<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>You receive a call out of the blue from someone claiming to be from the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions or the Australian Taxation Office.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'></span> </p><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'></span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>The call may sound like it is an automated message with an American accent.</span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><!--[endif]--><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>The caller or sender will claim that you have an arrest warrant for some reason.</span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'></span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>The scammer will ask you to telephone a number that appears to be Australian but is likely to be a VOIP number.</span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><!--[endif]--><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>The number reported is 02 6100 3027. This is not the correct number for the CDPP.</span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'></span><!--[endif]--><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>The scammer will tell you that in order to resolve the matter you will need to pay a fee.</span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'></span><!--[endif]--><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>You may also be asked to provide your bank account details or other personal information so they can confirm they have the right person.</span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'></span><!--[endif]--><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>If you send any money via wire transfer, you will never see it again – it's nearly impossible to recover money sent this way. You will also never receive the promised rebate or refund.</span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>I</span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>f you provide your bank account details or other personal information, the scammer may use it to commit identity theft or to steal your money. <o:p></o:p></span></div></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(240, 240, 240); margin: 6pt 0cm 5.25pt; mso-outline-level: 2;"><b><span style='color: green; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>Protect yourself<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>If you receive a phone call or email out of the blue from someone claiming to be from the Commonwealth Department of Public Prosecutions or Australian Taxation Office telling you about an arrest warrant, hang up.</span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'></span><!--[endif]--><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>If you receive a message on your phone asking you to telephone 02 6100 3027, delete the message.</span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'></span><!--[endif]--><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>If you have any doubts about the identity of any caller who claims to represent a government department, contact the body directly. Don't rely on numbers, email addresses or websites provided by the caller – find them through an independent source such as a phone book or online search.</span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN" style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-ansi-language: EN;'>The CDPP is advising people to be vigilant when receiving phone calls of this nature and if in doubt about the authenticity of a call that you receive from the CDPP, </span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><a href="http://www.cdpp.gov.au/contact-us/"><span lang="EN" style='font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;'><u><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial">contact</font></u></span></a></span><span lang="EN" style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'> </span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>them </span><span lang="EN" style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-ansi-language: EN;'>on one of the publically listed phone numbers or email </span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><a href="mailto:inquiries@cdpp.gov.au"><i><span lang="EN" style='font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;'><u><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial"><a href="mailto:inquiries@cdpp.gov.au.Never">inquiries@cdpp.gov.au</a></font><a></a></u><a></a></span><a></a></i><a></a></a><a></a></span><a><span lang="EN" style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-ansi-language: EN;'>.</span><!--[endif]--></a></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'><a>Never</a> send any money via wire transfer to anyone you do not know or trust.</span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'></span><!--[endif]--><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>Never give your personal, credit card or online account details over the phone unless you made the call and the phone number came from a trusted source. If you think you have provided your account details to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately.<o:p></o:p></span></div></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: rgb(240, 240, 240); margin: 6pt 0cm 5.25pt 36pt; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: green; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'> </span></font></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style='color: green; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>Report<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]--><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>You can report scams to the ACCC via the </span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><a href="https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/694011"><span style='font-size: 9.5pt; text-decoration: none; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; text-underline: none;'><u><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial">SCAMwatch report a scam page </font></u></span></a></span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>or by calling 1300 795 995.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: rgb(240, 240, 240); margin: 6pt 0cm 5.25pt 36pt; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: green; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'> </span></font></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style='color: green; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>More information<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'> </span></span></span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;'><font face="Times New Roman">S</font>ee advice at the </span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><a href="http://www.cdpp.gov.au/news/alert-hoax-cdpp-phone-calls/"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><u><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial">Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions</font></u></span></a></span><span style='color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;'> </span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;'>website.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'> </span></font></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'><o:p><font face="Calibri"> </font></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>Stay one step ahead of scammers, follow </span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><a href="http://twitter.com/SCAMwatch_gov"><span style='font-size: 9.5pt; text-decoration: none; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; text-underline: none;'><u><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial">@SCAMwatch_gov</font></u></span></a></span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'> on Twitter. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><o:p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p></o:p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"> </p></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"> </p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413933668372085164.post-54629869069121672132015-04-13T14:04:00.001+10:002015-04-13T14:04:54.042+10:00SCAMwatch email alert: Telephone calls alleging fake arrest warrants used to scam money [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]<font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"> </p><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"> </p><o:p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><b><span style='color: green; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'><font size="3">Telephone calls alleging fake arrest warrants used to scam money<o:p></o:p></font></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'><o:p><font face="Calibri"> </font></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;'>April 2015:</span></b><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;'> SCAMwatch is warning consumers to be aware of calls from scammers falsely claiming to be from the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) or Australian Tax Office (ATO).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;'>Scammers have recently been calling Australians telling them that there is a warrant out for their arrest. Many people have reported to SCAMwatch that messages have been recorded on their answering machines asking them to call back later. The telephone number provided is 0261003027 and they ask you to call during office hours to discuss the matter further. However, the telephone number has no connection with the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, Australian Taxation Office or any other state or commonwealth department. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;'>The scammers may spin a range of stories about why an arrest warrant has been issued, including that you have failed to pay taxes. <br> <br> Scammers typically ask for money to be sent via wire transfer as it's nearly impossible to recover money sent this way. They may also ask for people's financial and other personal details to access their money and use this information to commit other scams.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;'>Be on guard, if you receive a phone call from someone saying you have an arrest warrant and asking you to pay a fee, hang up and do not respond. If in doubt, don't use the contact details provided - look up the government department or organisation yourself in the phone book or online and phone or email them.<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--> <!--[endif]--></span></b><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(240, 240, 240); margin: 6pt 0cm 5.25pt; mso-outline-level: 2;"><b><span style='color: green; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>How these scams work<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>You receive a call out of the blue from someone claiming to be from the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions or the Australian Taxation Office.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'></span> </p><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'></span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>The call may sound like it is an automated message with an American accent.</span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><!--[endif]--><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>The caller or sender will claim that you have an arrest warrant for some reason.</span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'></span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>The scammer will ask you to telephone a number that appears to be Australian but is likely to be a VOIP number.</span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><!--[endif]--><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>The number reported is 02 6100 3027. This is not the correct number for the CDPP.</span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'></span><!--[endif]--><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>The scammer will tell you that in order to resolve the matter you will need to pay a fee.</span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'></span><!--[endif]--><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>You may also be asked to provide your bank account details or other personal information so they can confirm they have the right person.</span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'></span><!--[endif]--><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>If you send any money via wire transfer, you will never see it again – it's nearly impossible to recover money sent this way. You will also never receive the promised rebate or refund.</span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>I</span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>f you provide your bank account details or other personal information, the scammer may use it to commit identity theft or to steal your money. <o:p></o:p></span></div></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(240, 240, 240); margin: 6pt 0cm 5.25pt; mso-outline-level: 2;"><b><span style='color: green; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>Protect yourself<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>If you receive a phone call or email out of the blue from someone claiming to be from the Commonwealth Department of Public Prosecutions or Australian Taxation Office telling you about an arrest warrant, hang up.</span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'></span><!--[endif]--><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>If you receive a message on your phone asking you to telephone 02 6100 3027, delete the message.</span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'></span><!--[endif]--><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>If you have any doubts about the identity of any caller who claims to represent a government department, contact the body directly. Don't rely on numbers, email addresses or websites provided by the caller – find them through an independent source such as a phone book or online search.</span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN" style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-ansi-language: EN;'>The CDPP is advising people to be vigilant when receiving phone calls of this nature and if in doubt about the authenticity of a call that you receive from the CDPP, </span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><a href="http://www.cdpp.gov.au/contact-us/"><span lang="EN" style='font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;'><u><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial">contact</font></u></span></a></span><span lang="EN" style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'> </span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>them </span><span lang="EN" style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-ansi-language: EN;'>on one of the publically listed phone numbers or email </span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><a href="mailto:inquiries@cdpp.gov.au"><i><span lang="EN" style='font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;'><u><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial"><a href="mailto:inquiries@cdpp.gov.au.Never">inquiries@cdpp.gov.au</a></font><a></a></u><a></a></span><a></a></i><a></a></a><a></a></span><a><span lang="EN" style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-ansi-language: EN;'>.</span><!--[endif]--></a></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'><a>Never</a> send any money via wire transfer to anyone you do not know or trust.</span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'></span><!--[endif]--><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>Never give your personal, credit card or online account details over the phone unless you made the call and the phone number came from a trusted source. If you think you have provided your account details to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately.<o:p></o:p></span></div></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: rgb(240, 240, 240); margin: 6pt 0cm 5.25pt 36pt; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: green; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'> </span></font></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style='color: green; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>Report<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]--><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>You can report scams to the ACCC via the </span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><a href="https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/694011"><span style='font-size: 9.5pt; text-decoration: none; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; text-underline: none;'><u><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial">SCAMwatch report a scam page </font></u></span></a></span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>or by calling 1300 795 995.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="background: rgb(240, 240, 240); margin: 6pt 0cm 5.25pt 36pt; mso-outline-level: 2; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: green; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'> </span></font></span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style='color: green; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>More information<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 6pt 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'> </span></span></span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;'><font face="Times New Roman">S</font>ee advice at the </span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><a href="http://www.cdpp.gov.au/news/alert-hoax-cdpp-phone-calls/"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><u><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial">Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions</font></u></span></a></span><span style='color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;'> </span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;'>website.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style='font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;'> </span></font></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'><o:p><font face="Calibri"> </font></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'>Stay one step ahead of scammers, follow </span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><a href="http://twitter.com/SCAMwatch_gov"><span style='font-size: 9.5pt; text-decoration: none; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; text-underline: none;'><u><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial">@SCAMwatch_gov</font></u></span></a></span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;'> on Twitter. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><o:p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p></o:p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"> </p></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"> </p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413933668372085164.post-915364074766172902015-04-01T08:14:00.001+10:002015-04-01T08:14:36.498+10:00Southeast QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Heavy Rain<table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" width="620"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="notwhitelabel" valign="top"><a href="http://www.ewn.com.au"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://www.ewn.com.au/images/header_ewn_weather.png" width="620" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="370"><img class="appdelete" src="http://www.ewn.com.au/images/ad_space.png" /><br /> <font face="Verdana" size="4"><strong>Southeast QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Heavy Rain </strong></font></td> <td align="right" class="appdelete" valign="top" width="250"><a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/info/facebook.aspx"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.ewn.com.au/images/ad_facebook.jpg" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" colspan="2" valign="top"><font color="#303030" face="Verdana" size="2"><strong>Source: Bureau of Meteorology</strong> </font> <hr /><br /> <font color="#303030" face="Verdana" size="2">For people in parts of the<br /> Somerset,<br /> Sunshine Coast,<br /> Brisbane City and<br /> Moreton Bay Council Areas.<br /> <br /> Issued at 8:04 am Wednesday, 1 April 2015.<br /> <br /> The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 7:55 am, two separate bands of heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms were affecting southeast Queensland, one band extends through the northern suburbs of Brisbane, while the other is moving onto the southern Sunshine Coast area, extending into the adjacent hinterland.<br /> <br /> These storms are likely to produce prolonged periods of heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding.<br /> <br /> Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:<br /> * Avoid driving, walking or riding through flood waters.<br /> * Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.<br /> * Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm.<br /> * Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.<br /> * For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/alerts/">EWN Radar & Alerts Map</a> <span class="notwhitelabel">| <a href="http://www.facebook.com/alerts.qld">QLD Facebook Alerts</a> | <a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/info/twitter.aspx">Twitter Alerts</a></span></font></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="notwhitelabel" valign="top"><a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/mobile/iphone_android_apps.aspx"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://www.ewn.com.au/images/footer_apps.jpg" width="620" /></a><br /> <font color="#303030" face="verdana" size="1"><a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/user/unsubscribe.aspx?vk=105213-27562771-82816-MTA1MjEzLTI3NTYyNzcxLTgyODE2">Unsubscribe</a> | <a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/support/">EWN Support</a> | <a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/register/">Register</a> </font></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p><a href="http://alerts3.ewn.com.au/bom_maps/201504/01090755_IDQ65621.gif"><img border="0" src="http://alerts3.ewn.com.au/bom_maps/201504/01090755_IDQ65621.gif" /></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413933668372085164.post-77254769384079858162015-03-26T16:07:00.001+10:002015-03-26T16:07:44.002+10:00QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Heavy Rain, Damaging Winds<table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" width="620"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="notwhitelabel" valign="top"><a href="http://www.ewn.com.au"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://www.ewn.com.au/images/header_ewn_weather.png" width="620" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="370"><img class="appdelete" src="http://www.ewn.com.au/images/ad_space.png" /><br /> <font face="Verdana" size="4"><strong>QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Heavy Rain, Damaging Winds </strong></font></td> <td align="right" class="appdelete" valign="top" width="250"><a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/info/facebook.aspx"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.ewn.com.au/images/ad_facebook.jpg" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" colspan="2" valign="top"><font color="#303030" face="Verdana" size="2"><strong>Source: Bureau of Meteorology</strong> </font> <hr /><br /> <font color="#303030" face="Verdana" size="2">For people in parts of the<br /> Wide Bay and Burnett,<br /> Darling Downs and Granite Belt and<br /> Southeast Coast Forecast Districts.<br /> <br /> Issued at 4:00 pm Thursday, 26 March 2015.<br /> <br /> Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Warwick, Toowoomba, Dalby, Ipswich, Boonah and Oakey.<br /> <br /> Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:<br /> * Move your car under cover or away from trees.<br /> * Secure loose outdoor items.<br /> * Avoid driving, walking or riding through flood waters.<br /> * Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.<br /> * Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm.<br /> * Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.<br /> * For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/alerts/">EWN Radar & Alerts Map</a> <span class="notwhitelabel">| <a href="http://www.facebook.com/alerts.qld">QLD Facebook Alerts</a> | <a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/info/twitter.aspx">Twitter Alerts</a></span></font></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="notwhitelabel" valign="top"><a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/mobile/iphone_android_apps.aspx"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://www.ewn.com.au/images/footer_apps.jpg" width="620" /></a><br /> <font color="#303030" face="verdana" size="1"><a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/user/unsubscribe.aspx?vk=104196-27311593-82816-MTA0MTk2LTI3MzExNTkzLTgyODE2">Unsubscribe</a> | <a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/support/">EWN Support</a> | <a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/register/">Register</a> </font></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p><a href="http://alerts3.ewn.com.au/bom_maps/201503/26160338_IDQ65643.gif"><img border="0" src="http://alerts3.ewn.com.au/bom_maps/201503/26160338_IDQ65643.gif" /></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413933668372085164.post-86545699857745360892015-03-22T17:12:00.001+10:002015-03-22T17:12:34.606+10:00QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Heavy Rain<table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" width="620"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="notwhitelabel" valign="top"><a href="http://www.ewn.com.au"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://www.ewn.com.au/images/header_ewn_weather.png" width="620" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="370"><img class="appdelete" src="http://www.ewn.com.au/images/ad_space.png" /><br /> <font face="Verdana" size="4"><strong>QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Heavy Rain </strong></font></td> <td align="right" class="appdelete" valign="top" width="250"><a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/info/facebook.aspx"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.ewn.com.au/images/ad_facebook.jpg" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" colspan="2" valign="top"><font color="#303030" face="Verdana" size="2"><strong>Source: Bureau of Meteorology</strong> </font> <hr /><br /> <font color="#303030" face="Verdana" size="2">For people in the Southeast Coast and parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Central West, Maranoa and Warrego and Darling Downs and Granite Belt Forecast Districts.<br /> <br /> Issued at 4:55 pm Sunday, 22 March 2015.<br /> <br /> Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and large hailstones over the next several hours in parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Central West, Maranoa and Warrego and Darling Downs and Granite Belt districts. Locations which may be affected include Warwick, Toowoomba, Dalby, Stanthorpe, Goondiwindi and Charleville.<br /> <br /> Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in the Southeast Coast district. Locations which may be affected include Brisbane, Moreton Bay and islands and Beenleigh.<br /> <br /> Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:<br /> * Move your car under cover or away from trees.<br /> * Secure loose outdoor items.<br /> * Avoid driving, walking or riding through flood waters.<br /> * Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.<br /> * Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm.<br /> * Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.<br /> * For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/alerts/">EWN Radar & Alerts Map</a> <span class="notwhitelabel">| <a href="http://www.facebook.com/alerts.qld">QLD Facebook Alerts</a> | <a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/info/twitter.aspx">Twitter Alerts</a></span></font></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="notwhitelabel" valign="top"><a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/mobile/iphone_android_apps.aspx"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://www.ewn.com.au/images/footer_apps.jpg" width="620" /></a><br /> <font color="#303030" face="verdana" size="1"><a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/user/unsubscribe.aspx?vk=103348-27244297-82816-MTAzMzQ4LTI3MjQ0Mjk3LTgyODE2">Unsubscribe</a> | <a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/support/">EWN Support</a> | <a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/register/">Register</a> </font></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p><a href="http://alerts3.ewn.com.au/bom_maps/201503/22165724_IDQ65643.gif"><img border="0" src="http://alerts3.ewn.com.au/bom_maps/201503/22165724_IDQ65643.gif" /></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413933668372085164.post-35262723890700858032015-03-21T13:55:00.001+10:002015-03-21T13:55:10.076+10:00Southeast QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Heavy Rain<table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" width="620"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="notwhitelabel" valign="top"><a href="http://www.ewn.com.au"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://www.ewn.com.au/images/header_ewn_weather.png" width="620" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="370"><img class="appdelete" src="http://www.ewn.com.au/images/ad_space.png" /><br /> <font face="Verdana" size="4"><strong>Southeast QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Heavy Rain </strong></font></td> <td align="right" class="appdelete" valign="top" width="250"><a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/info/facebook.aspx"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.ewn.com.au/images/ad_facebook.jpg" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" colspan="2" valign="top"><font color="#303030" face="Verdana" size="2"><strong>Source: Bureau of Meteorology</strong> </font> <hr /><br /> <font color="#303030" face="Verdana" size="2">For people in the Logan, Redland, Brisbane City and parts of the Ipswich, Gold Coast and Moreton Bay Council Areas.<br /> <br /> Issued at 1:39 pm Saturday, 21 March 2015.<br /> <br /> The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 1:45 pm, severe thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near Beenleigh and Logan City. They are forecast to affect Cleveland, Dunwich and Peel Island by 2:15 pm and Brisbane CBD, Brisbane Airport and Mud Island by 2:45 pm.<br /> <br /> Heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding is likely.<br /> <br /> 48mm of rain has been reported at Logan Village in the hour to 1.20pm<br /> <br /> Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:<br /> * Avoid driving, walking or riding through flood waters.<br /> * Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.<br /> * Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm.<br /> * Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.<br /> * For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/alerts/">EWN Radar & Alerts Map</a> <span class="notwhitelabel">| <a href="http://www.facebook.com/alerts.qld">QLD Facebook Alerts</a> | <a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/info/twitter.aspx">Twitter Alerts</a></span></font></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="notwhitelabel" valign="top"><a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/mobile/iphone_android_apps.aspx"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://www.ewn.com.au/images/footer_apps.jpg" width="620" /></a><br /> <font color="#303030" face="verdana" size="1"><a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/user/unsubscribe.aspx?vk=103105-26880466-82816-MTAzMTA1LTI2ODgwNDY2LTgyODE2">Unsubscribe</a> | <a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/support/">EWN Support</a> | <a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/register/">Register</a> </font></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p><a href="http://alerts3.ewn.com.au/bom_maps/201503/21134313_IDQ65621.gif"><img border="0" src="http://alerts3.ewn.com.au/bom_maps/201503/21134313_IDQ65621.gif" /></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413933668372085164.post-39893790398821262182015-03-18T08:11:00.001+10:002015-03-18T08:11:04.000+10:00QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Heavy Rain, Damaging Winds<table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" width="620"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="notwhitelabel" valign="top"><a href="http://www.ewn.com.au"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://www.ewn.com.au/images/header_ewn_weather.png" width="620" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> <table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="370"><img class="appdelete" src="http://www.ewn.com.au/images/ad_space.png" /><br /> <font face="Verdana" size="4"><strong>QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Heavy Rain, Damaging Winds </strong></font></td> <td align="right" class="appdelete" valign="top" width="250"><a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/info/facebook.aspx"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.ewn.com.au/images/ad_facebook.jpg" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" colspan="2" valign="top"><font color="#303030" face="Verdana" size="2"><strong>Source: Bureau of Meteorology</strong> </font> <hr /><br /> <font color="#303030" face="Verdana" size="2">For people in the<br /> Southeast Coast and parts of the<br /> Wide Bay and Burnett and<br /> Darling Downs and Granite Belt Forecast Districts.<br /> <br /> Issued at 8:03 am Wednesday, 18 March 2015.<br /> <br /> Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Warwick, Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Brisbane, Ipswich and Moreton Bay and islands.<br /> <br /> Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:<br /> * Move your car under cover or away from trees.<br /> * Secure loose outdoor items.<br /> * Avoid driving, walking or riding through flood waters.<br /> * Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.<br /> * Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm.<br /> * Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.<br /> * For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/alerts/">EWN Radar & Alerts Map</a> <span class="notwhitelabel">| <a href="http://www.facebook.com/alerts.qld">QLD Facebook Alerts</a> | <a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/info/twitter.aspx">Twitter Alerts</a></span></font></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="notwhitelabel" valign="top"><a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/mobile/iphone_android_apps.aspx"><img border="0" height="110" src="http://www.ewn.com.au/images/footer_apps.jpg" width="620" /></a><br /> <font color="#303030" face="verdana" size="1"><a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/user/unsubscribe.aspx?vk=102448-26421996-82816-MTAyNDQ4LTI2NDIxOTk2LTgyODE2">Unsubscribe</a> | <a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/support/">EWN Support</a> | <a href="http://www.ewn.com.au/register/">Register</a> </font></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p><a href="http://alerts3.ewn.com.au/bom_maps/201503/18080754_IDQ65643.gif"><img border="0" src="http://alerts3.ewn.com.au/bom_maps/201503/18080754_IDQ65643.gif" /></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413933668372085164.post-29138798004267411542015-03-17T14:49:00.001+10:002015-03-17T14:49:58.530+10:00SCAMwatch email alert: Beware of NBN scams [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]<font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3"><strong>17 March 2015</strong>: SCAMwatch is warning consumers and businesses to be aware of NBN-related scams seeking to get your personal details or asking you to buy equipment you don't need.<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">As the rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN) progresses, you may receive legitimate materials from NBN Co and telecommunications service providers about what you need to do when the NBN comes to your area. Unfortunately, scammers may take advantage of the NBN rollout, using it as an excuse to contact consumers and small businesses. Scammers may call or email with false claims that they need personal details, such as credit card details, to allow access to the NBN. Some scammers may also tell consumers that they need to buy new equipment to use services over the NBN.<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Scammers often use major government programs or announcements like the NBN to trick people into handing over their money or personal details. Scammers may pretend to be from NBN Co, a government agency, or a telecommunications provider to sound legitimate. They may spin a range of stories to make their story sound real, such as claiming that personal information such as credit card details is necessary to get access to services over the NBN. <o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Scammers typically ask for people's financial and other personal details to access their money and commit identity theft.<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">NBN Co is the company responsible for the NBN rollout. It is a wholesale network provider and does not provide retail services to consumers. It is unlikely that NBN Co will ask consumers for personal bank or credit card details. You should only give your personal bank or credit card details if you know who you are talking to and understand the reason you are providing these details. <o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">If you are unsure about what you need to do to switch to services over the NBN, you should contact your preferred telecommunications service provider using the number in the telephone directory or on their official website.<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">There are a limited number of circumstances where you may need new equipment when you switch to services over the NBN – for example if you have a household or medical alarm or if you need a new modem or router. Do not purchase any new equipment before speaking with your preferred telecommunications service provider and/or your equipment provider. <o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3"><strong>Be on guard, you may receive a phone call or email from someone asking for your personal or banking details in order get services over the NBN at your home or business. If you are approached by someone purporting to offer the NBN in this way, hang up and stop contact– the person on the other end may be a scammer. The best approach is to call your preferred telecommunications service provider using the number they list in the telephone directory or on their official website.</strong> <o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><h2 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">How these scams work<o:p></o:p></h2><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">You receive a call, email or knock at the door out of the blue from someone claiming to be from the NBN, a government department or business such as a telecommunications service provider. <o:p></o:p></font></font></div></li></ul><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">The caller or sender will claim that, because of the NBN, you must provide personal information. You may be asked to provide your bank account details or other personal information.<o:p></o:p></font></font></div></li></ul><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">If you provide your bank account details or other personal information, the scammer may use it to commit identity theft or to steal your money. <o:p></o:p></font></font></div></li></ul><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Alternatively, the caller may tell you that you need to buy new equipment because your existing equipment is incompatible with the NBN and ask you to purchase equipment.<o:p></o:p></font></font></div></li></ul><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><o:p> </o:p><h2>Protect yourself<o:p></o:p></h2><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Know who you are talking to: If you have any doubts about the identity of any caller who claims to represent a business, organisation or government department, contact the body directly. Don't rely on numbers, email addresses or websites provided by the caller – find them through an independent source such as a phone book or online search.<o:p></o:p></font></font></div></li></ul><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Protect your personal information: Never give your personal, credit card or online account details over the phone unless you made the call and the phone number came from a trusted source. <o:p></o:p></font></font></div></li></ul><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Think twice before buying: Before purchasing any new equipment for the NBN, make sure you do your own research. Contact your service provider directly and shop around to make sure new equipment is actually required.<o:p></o:p></font></font></div></li></ul><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">If you think you've been scammed, report it: If you think you have provided your account details to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately.<o:p></o:p></font></font></div></li></ul><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><h2 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Report<o:p></o:p></h2><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">You can report scams to the ACCC via the <a href="https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/694011">SCAMwatch_report_a_scam_page</a> </font><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">or by calling 1300 795 995.<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><o:p><font face="Calibri" size="3"> </font></o:p></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><h2 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">More information<o:p></o:p></h2><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Calibri" size="3">Stay one step ahead of scammers, follow <a href="https://twitter.com/SCAMwatch_gov">@SCAMwatch_gov</a> </font><font size="3"><font face="Calibri"> on Twitter. </font></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"> </p><font size="3"><font face="Calibri"><o:p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";'>You have received this email because you have subscribed to receive SCAMwatch radar alerts on scams targeting Australians. These alerts are issued by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and can be viewed on its SCAMwatch website <a href="http://www.scamwatch.gov.au"><u><font color="#0000ff">http://www.scamwatch.gov.au</font></u></a>.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"> </font><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";'></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";'>If you have any doubts about an email's source, verify the sender by independent means - use their official contact details to check the email is legitimate before clicking on links or opening attachments. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS PGothic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;'></span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS PGothic"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;'>If you no longer want to receive SCAMwatch email alerts, please <a href="https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/704128"><u><font color="#0000ff">unsubscribe</font></u></a> on the SCAMwatch website.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"> </font></p></o:p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"> </p></font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"> </p></font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"> </p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413933668372085164.post-40280551488043488282015-03-05T10:46:00.001+10:002015-03-12T19:42:38.467+10:00SCAMwatch email alert: Fake rebate scams on the rise <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>March 2015</strong>: In February the ACCC received a spike in contacts about fake rebate schemes so we are warning people to be aware of calls from a fake government department claiming you are owed money. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">Scammers have recently been calling Australians offering them a cheque worth $7000 or more claiming to be from the 'Department of Finance' or other government organisation such as the 'Office of State Revenue'. The scammer will demand an upfront payment and various pieces of personal information before the money can be provided. However, there is no money and no connection with any state or commonwealth department. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">The scammers may spin a range of stories about why you are owed money to make their story sound real. They might claim that there is money due because of a tax refund, bank fee rebate, one-off payment, investment return or even a bonus. Whatever the story, these scams always involve some government department or organisation claiming you are owed money but you need to pay a fee in order to collect it. <br /> <br /> Scammers typically ask for money to be sent via wire transfer as it's nearly impossible to recover money sent this way. They may also ask for people's financial and other personal details to access their money and use this information to commit other scams.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Be on guard – if you receive a phone call from someone saying you are owed money and they then ask you for your personal or banking details or to pay a fee, hang up – the person on the other end may be a scammer. If in doubt, look up the government department or organisation yourself and phone them.</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">How these scams work<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">You receive a call out of the blue from someone claiming to be from a government department. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">The caller or sender will claim that you are owed money for some reason.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">In order to receive the refund/payment you have to pay an administration fee or other fee upfront.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">The caller may tell you that you need to contact their supervisor with a reference number that they provide you in order to make the payment or they might ask you to pay straight away.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">Alternatively, you may be asked to provide your bank account details or other personal information so they can deposit the refund in your account.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">If you send any money via wire transfer, you will never see it again – it's nearly impossible to recover money sent this way. You will also never receive the promised rebate or refund.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">If you provide your bank account details or other personal information, the scammer may use it to commit identity theft or to steal your money. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">If you receive a phone call or email out of the blue from someone claiming to be from a government department and they claim that you are entitled to money, hang up.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">If you have any doubts about the identity of any caller who claims to represent a business, organisation or government department, contact the body directly. Don't rely on numbers, email addresses or websites provided by the caller – find them through an independent source such as a phone book or online search.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">Never give your personal, credit card or online account details over the phone unless you made the call and the phone number came from a trusted source. If you think you have provided your account details to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">You can report scams to the ACCC via the <a href="https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/694011">SCAMwatch report a scam page </a></span><span style="font-size: small;">or by calling 1300 795 995.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">If the scammer has posed as a legitimate government department or company, you should also report the incident to them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">More information<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: small;">Stay one step ahead of scammers, follow @SCAMwatch_gov on Twitter or visit <a href="http://twitter.com/SCAMwatch_gov"><u>http://twitter.com/SCAMwatch_gov</u></a></span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413933668372085164.post-47304570077567535142015-02-13T11:32:00.001+10:002015-02-13T11:32:31.778+10:00SCAMwatch email alert: This Valentine’s Day, protect your heart when seeking love online [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]<font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><font size="3"><strong>February 2015</strong>: This Valentine's Day, SCAMwatch is warning the online dating community to beware of any love interest who asks for money.<o:p></o:p></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><font size="3">Signing up to dating websites has proven successful for many singles seeking a match. Unfortunately it has also proven popular among scammers who prey on people's vulnerabilities to steal their money, particularly around sentimental times of the year.<o:p></o:p></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><font size="3">Scammers are experts at preying on people's weaknesses, and will spend months and even years grooming victims to lower their defences. Inevitably, the fraudster will spin a tall tale about why they suddenly need your financial help, ranging from medical emergencies to failed business ventures to needing to rebook flights to visit you.<o:p></o:p></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><font size="3">Once victims realise that their admirer is actually a criminal, the emotional consequences can be devastating.<o:p></o:p></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><font size="3">These scams can also pose a risk to your personal safety as scammers are often part of international criminal networks. Scammers have lured unwitting Australian victims overseas, putting people in dangerous situations that can have tragic consequences.<o:p></o:p></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><font size="3"><strong>If you are looking for love online, don't let a scammer leave you broke and with a broken heart. If your online admirer asks for money, ask yourself: 'Do I really know who I'm dealing with?'</strong> <o:p></o:p></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><h2 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'>How the scam works<o:p></o:p></span></h2><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><font size="3">You meet someone online through a dating or social networking website whom you seem to just 'connect' with. </font></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'></span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><font size="3">The person may have an appealing profile, claim to have similar likes and dislikes or have gone through similar experiences. </font></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'></span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><font size="3">Your online admirer will soon ask you to communicate through a private channel such as via email or webcam. </font></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'></span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><font size="3">After trust and a relationship is established, they will ask you for money to help cover costs associated with illness, injury, a family crisis or travel to see them. </font></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'></span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><font size="3">Scammers will often disguise their request for money as a short term loan to help them out until they can get access to some other source of funds.</font></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'></span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><font size="3">Regardless of the approach, the scammer will typically ask you to send them the money via wire transfer.<o:p></o:p></font></span><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><font size="3">If you send them money, they will continue to ask for money to get out of other problems. Amounts requested may initially be small but tend to increase over time. </font></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'></span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><font size="3">If you send money to a scammer – especially via a wire transfer – it is almost certainly gone forever. Just as importantly, your heart may be broken and trust shattered.<o:p></o:p></font></span><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></div></li></ul><h2 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'>Protect yourself<o:p></o:p></span></h2><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><font size="3"><strong>Think twice</strong>: Never provide your financial details or send funds to someone you've met online. Scammers particularly seek money orders, wire transfers or international funds transfer as it's rare to recover money sent this way.<o:p></o:p></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><font size="3"><strong>Watch out</strong>: If an online admirer asks to communicate with you outside the dating website, such as through a private email address or over the phone, be very wary – scammers want you away from any safeguards that are in place on the site. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><font size="3"><strong>Search</strong>: Use the <a href="http://www.google.com.au/insidesearch/features/images/searchbyimage.html">Google 'search by image' tool</a> </font><font size="3">to check the authenticity of any photos provided by someone you met online as scammers often use fake photos they find online. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><font size="3"><strong>Avoid</strong>: Don't share photos or webcam of a private nature. The ACCC has received reports of scammers using this material to blackmail victims.<o:p></o:p></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><font size="3"><strong>Report</strong>: If you think you have provided your financial details to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately. If you think you met a scammer through an online dating service, let the site operator know.<o:p></o:p></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><h2 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'>Report<o:p></o:p></span></h2><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><font size="3">You can report scams to the ACCC via the <a href="https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/694011">report a scam page</a></font><font size="3"> on SCAMwatch or by calling 1300 795 995.<o:p></o:p></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><h2 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'>More information <o:p></o:p></span></h2><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><font size="3">In 2014 the ACCC conducted an internet sweep of the online dating industry to review:<o:p></o:p></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><font size="3">compliance with the ACCC's Dating Industry Best Practice Guidelines, which were published in 2012 following a collaborative effort with online dating service providers as part of an industry working group; and</font></span></div></li><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'></span><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><font size="3">whether dating sites are being true and fair in their dealings with customers.<o:p></o:p></font></span><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></div></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><font size="3">The sweep findings are available in the <a href="http://www.accc.gov.au/publications/online-dating-industry-report">ACCC online dating industry report</a></font><font size="3">.<o:p></o:p></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><font size="3">Stay one step ahead of scammers, follow @SCAMwatch_gov on Twitter or visit <a href="http://twitter.com/SCAMwatch_gov">http://twitter.com/SCAMwatch_gov</a>.</font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"> </p><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";'><font size="3"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";'>You have received this email because you have subscribed to receive SCAMwatch radar alerts on scams targeting Australians. These alerts are issued by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and can be viewed on its SCAMwatch website <a href="http://www.scamwatch.gov.au/"><u><font color="#0000ff">http://www.scamwatch.gov.au</font></u></a>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";'></span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";'>If you have any doubts about an email's source, verify the sender by independent means - use their official contact details to check the email is legitimate before clicking on links or opening attachments. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"> </font><span style='font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS PGothic"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;'>If you no longer want to receive SCAMwatch email alerts, please <a href="https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/704128"><u><font color="#0000ff">unsubscribe</font></u></a> on the SCAMwatch website.</span><o:p></o:p></p></font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"> </p></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 10pt 0cm 0pt;"> </p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font> Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413933668372085164.post-81239799462598526772015-02-13T07:37:00.003+10:002015-02-13T07:37:23.976+10:00RACQ calls for cheaper registration to end fuel price rorts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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QUEENSLANDERS are coughing up more to own their car than any other state, according to RACQ, which is now demanding change from Labor and the LNP.</div>
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The motoring group has released its "policy manifesto", which called on the next Queensland Government - whoever wins - to bring down the cost of registering the family car.</div>
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It is also pushing for the government to crack down on service stations that show a discounted cost of fuel instead of the real price, claiming it undermines industry competition.</div>
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The LNP froze registration fees when it took power in 2012, but RACQ executive manager Paul Turner said that the cost was still too high.</div>
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"The freeze saved motorists up to $44.40 over the last three years, but we still pay more than motorists in every other state," he said.</div>
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"How is it fair that Queenslanders pay $50 more a year to register the same four-cylinder car than Victorians? Or $200 a year more to register a medium car?"</div>
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RACQ wants both LNP and Labor to promise a three-year extension to the registration freeze, or to simply bring down the cost.</div>
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On service station pricing, RACQ has labelled the tactic of outlets showing off their discount fuel price as "misleading and fraudulent".</div>
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"Current fuel price signs outside fuel stations are, more often than not, a rort and cost motorists hundreds of dollars a year," Mr Turner said.</div>
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"Most petrol station signs show a highlighted discount price which is not available to many motorists. How can we have genuine competition in the fuel market if the prices on the signs are dependent on having the right voucher or making in-store purchases?"</div>
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Mr Turner said other states have address the signage issue and Queensland must follow suit.</div>
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<a href="http://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/racq-wants-cheaper-registration-end-fuel-price-ror/2510710/">http://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/racq-wants-cheaper-registration-end-fuel-price-ror/2510710/</a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413933668372085164.post-2931811508221518032015-02-13T07:10:00.000+10:002015-02-13T07:11:29.501+10:00Queensland consumers angry over mass mango dumpings in FNQ<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unsellable mangoes in Far North Queensland.</td></tr>
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It's hard for anyone to imagine beautiful far north Queensland mangoes could be worth nothing.</div>
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After all, mangoes are the 'king of fruits', which is why consumers are so willing to pay top dollar for premium product. But what becomes of fruit that doesn't make the grade?</div>
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The sad reality this summer is tonnes and tonnes of mangoes have ended up on the scrapheap for no reason other than their appearance.</div>
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A loss of juicing contracts and a bumper season in the Mareeba-Dimbulah district resulted in tons of blemished fruit, that won't make the premium grade, being thrown out.</div>
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Mango grower Merryl Patane said it is a reflection of the market that thousands of mangoes will end up in a dry gully on their small farm, outside of Mareeba.</div>
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"There's nowhere else to put them. We need the cage for tomorrow for more fruit to be dumped," she said.</div>
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"It's very sad. Just visual, it's just looks. It's not affecting the flesh whatsoever. Apparently no-one will buy that."</div>
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There's nowhere else to put them. It's very sad. Just visual, it's just looks. It's not affecting the flesh whatsoever, apparently no-one will buy that.</div>
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The challenge of marketing fruit that does not "meet retail specification" has become more apparent following a steep decline in juicing contracts in recent years.</div>
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Australian Mango Industry Association president Robert Gray said it was a combination of less demand for blended juice products and the availability of much cheaper puree imported from countries such as Mexico, Brazil and India.</div>
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"Labour's a big component of our cost structure, plus we've got to transport the raw material often thousands of kilometres to where the product's processed. And in the case of mangoes, about half of that product is seed and skin."</div>
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"So yeah, we are an expensive producer of puree and we need to make sure we're developing markets for products where the benefits of our mangoes are better aligned with what consumers want."</div>
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But judging from the angry reaction by consumers on social media networks to photographs of mangoes destined to be dumped, that's not necessarily so.</div>
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Many have questioned why the fruit could not be processed, value-added or, at the very least, donated to charity. But Mr Gray said that is not so easy.</div>
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The quick fix would be saying 'look, let's just bundle this fruit up in boxes and send to market', but that's not going to work. You've got to identify the markets, develop the processes to get it to market and then grow those markets.</div>
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"A big percentage of this fruit is going through the processing channel because it doesn't have the legs to make it through the (fresh fruit) channel. It may be a little bit overripe or it may have a cut in the surface of the fruit that may cause issues through that channel," he said.</div>
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"The market for second grade and third grade through the retail channel this year has seen huge growth and we're continuing to drive that... and provide a value equation for consumers that inspires them to buy our products whether it's through ice-blocks, or frozen cheeks or products that have puree in them that have that unique, Australian flavour.</div>
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"It's not any easy job. The quick fix would be saying 'look, let's just bundle this fruit up in boxes and send to market', that's not going to work.</div>
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"You've got to identify the markets, develop the processes to get that product to market and then grow those markets."</div>
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But still the reality of the fresh fruit and vegetables that will never make it to the supermarket shelf because of its aesthetic shortcomings has struck a chord with many in the public. Many organisations such as OzHarvest's REAP program and Second Bite has emerged from grassroots initiatives aimed at tackling food waste.</div>
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A photo posted on social media networks of the Mareeba mangoes destined to be dumped evoked an outpouring of anger and disbelief at the senseless waste of a precious commodity.</div>
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Melbourne resident Katy Barfield was one of hundreds of people to respond on Twitter.</div>
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"We have so many people that I know who'd want access to that product. People who have children who go to school without anything in their lunchbox, families who are struggling to put food on the table," she tweeted.</div>
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"It is a disgrace. It's an absolute market failure when we've got farmers who cannot sell their beautiful, quality products and bring that to market for people who want to purchase it."</div>
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So incensed by food waste was Ms Barfield that she established her own business, Spade and Barrow, in Melbourne 18 months to find a market for what she describes as 'perfectly imperfect' produce.</div>
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The food system is absolutely broken. It takes exactly the same input costs to grow a wonky carrot as it does to grow a straight one. The farmer gets no compensation for that whatsover.</div>
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Katy Bradfield, Spade and Barrow</div>
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"I just realised that the food system is absolutely broken. It takes exactly the same input costs to grow a wonky carrot as it does to grow a straight one. The farmer gets no compensation for that whatsover and finds it hard to bring that product to market."</div>
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But even as a distributor of fresh food, Katy Barfield conceded she was not in a position to save the mangoes going to waste more than 4,000 kilometres away in Mareeba.</div>
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"One of the biggest challenges for us is logistics, actually getting that product to the various states and territories. We try to work as local as possible, so a lot of the farmers we're working with are within 100 kilometres of where we operate," she said.</div>
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"It's about collaboration. We're only going to solve these issues together."</div>
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Meanwhile, mango growers like Ross and Merryl Patane will work long hours in the oppressive far north Queensland summer, never knowing whether their efforts will be rewarded.</div>
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"If you have good quality and you can get it into the chain stores, you'll do okay with price, but there's a lot of fruit out there, so hopefully our quality will get us over the line," said Mrs Patane.</div>
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<a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-28/dumped-mareeba-mangoes-prompts-consumer-outrage-at-food-waste/6052036">http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-28/dumped-mareeba-mangoes-prompts-consumer-outrage-at-food-waste/6052036</a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413933668372085164.post-27896695483585638082015-02-12T22:41:00.002+10:002015-02-12T22:41:52.030+10:00Irish scammers have visas cancelled and kicked out of Australia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A GROUP of alleged scammers will be kicked out of Australia.</div>
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Police found more than $120,000 and a treasure trove of expensive jewellery and luxury goods during raids at Hazelmere in Western Australia.</div>
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Police and Department of Immigration and Border Protection said 24 Irish nationals were allegedly charging vulnerable aged people massive amounts for roof fixing and other home repair jobs when the work wasn't needed.</div>
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The DIBP cancelled 24 visas.</div>
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Seven people were arrested and the DIBP detained 19 others in the sting.</div>
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"The scam involved convincing vulnerable people to part with substantial amounts of money to fix roofing or other home maintenance issues," Border Protection Assistant Minister Michaelia Cash said.</div>
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"The work was then not completed or even required in the first place."</div>
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"Those individuals who have had their visas cancelled are now currently in detention while the department makes arrangements for their removal from Australia."</div>
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<a href="http://www.qt.com.au/news/24-visas-cancelled-as-police-out-scammers/2523175/">http://www.qt.com.au/news/24-visas-cancelled-as-police-out-scammers/2523175/</a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com