SCAMwatch email alert: Beware fake websites when shopping online for Christmas [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

Beware fake websites when shopping online for Christmas

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Added: November 2013

SCAMwatch is warning consumers shopping online for Christmas to watch out for fake websites selling bogus gifts. Scammers set up sophisticated sites designed to trick you into thinking they're the real deal, including using a '.com.au' domain name and stolen Australian Business Number (ABN).

Several scam shopping sites have already been shut down, but it's important that you stay alert to avoid finding yourself out of pocket and a present. The tell-tale sign is if the site only allows you to pay via money order or wire transfer – once you send money this way, it's rare to see it again.

Don't let scammers deliver you a nasty surprise this Christmas. When shopping online, make sure the business that you are dealing with, and their offer, is the real deal.

How these scams work

• While shopping online for Christmas, you come across a website selling products suitable for gifts.
• The product may be a popular item, such as a smartphone, tablet or camera, at a really cheap price.
• The site may appear to be authentic, with a sophisticated design and content. It may even appear to be an Australian based business, with a '.com.au' domain name and an Australian Business Number (ABN), which is likely to have been stolen from a legitimate company.
• When you go to pay for your purchase, the site only offers you to pay via money order or wire transfer, rather than a secure payment method.
• If you go ahead with the 'purchase', you will never receive the product, or see your money again.

Protect yourself

• If you come across a website with an offer that sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• If a shopping site only offers you to pay by money order or wire transfer, steer clear - it's rare to recover money sent this way. Only pay via secure payment methods – look for a web address starting with 'https' and a closed padlock symbol.
• Remember – these days, it's easy for a scammer to create a professional looking website. Know who you're dealing with before you buy online and, if you have any doubts, don't go ahead.
• If you think you have provided your financial details or sent money to a scammer, contact your financial institution immediately.

Report

You can report scams to the ACCC via the SCAMwatch report a scam page or by calling 1300 795 995.

More information

For more information on scam shopping sites that have been shut down, check out these warnings issued by Consumer Affairs Victoria and Western Australian Department of Commerce.

Stay one step ahead of scammers – follow @SCAMwatch_gov on Twitter or visit http://twitter.com/SCAMwatch_gov.

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/.

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.

If you no longer want to receive SCAMwatch email alerts, please unsubscribe on the SCAMwatch website.

SCAMwatch email alert: Don’t back a scammer this spring racing season [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

Don't back a scammer this spring racing season

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Added: October 2013

SCAMwatch is reminding punters not to be fooled by con artists pushing sports investment scams this spring racing season. 

'Foolproof' gambling schemes and betting prediction software trap more people during the spring racing season as the racing fever takes hold. Often promoted as legitimate investments, these schemes simply do not deliver – the odds are you will never see your money again. 

Remember: Gambling, by definition, is a game of chance. There is no such thing as a fool-proof bet.

How these scams work

• You receive a call, email or letter out of the blue from someone offering you an opportunity to invest in a sports betting syndicate or software package that is 'guaranteed' to provide high returns.
• The promoter claims that the scheme is able to predict results based on historical trends, track or horse conditions, or different odds offered by bookmakers.
• The promoter will try to convince you that this 'investment opportunity' is legitimate through sophisticated brochures or websites that contain graphs or diagrams showing large returns.
• You are also likely to be subjected to high pressure sales tactics to try and get you to sign up on the spot, such as claiming that places are strictly limited.
• In order to participate, you are required to pay large upfront costs and ongoing fees and charges. Betting syndicates also require you to put money into a sports betting account so that promoters can place bets on behalf of the syndicate, with participants receiving a percentage of the profits. Often no bets are actually placed.
• If you sign up, you may initially find your account shows winnings during the 'trial period'. However, it's not long before all of your money and the promoters disappear.

Protect yourself

• If you receive a phone call or email out of the blue about a sports investment opportunity, just hang up or press delete.
• Always get independent financial or legal advice if an offer involves significant money, time or commitment.
• Don't be enticed by reports of past performance or graphs showing high returns, and don't let scammers push your buttons by pressuring you to sign up on the spot.
• Ask yourself: if a stranger knew a secret to making money, why would they share it?
• If you think you have provided your account details to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately.

Report

You can report scams to the ACCC via the report a scam page on SCAMwatch or by calling 1300 795 995.

More information

Stay one step ahead of scammers, follow @SCAMwatch_gov on Twitter or visit http://twitter.com/SCAMwatch_gov .

Stay one step ahead of scammers, follow @SCAMwatch_gov on Twitter or visit http://twitter.com/SCAMwatch_gov .

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/.

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.

If you no longer want to receive SCAMwatch email alerts, please unsubscribe on the SCAMwatch website.