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SCAMwatch email alert: Alert update –‘YellowPages’ directory scam moves to a new website address... [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

Alert update – 'Yellow Pages' directory scam moves to a new website address, continues to target Australian businesses

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Added: January 2014

SCAMwatch is warning small businesses to continue to be alert to the fake 'Yellow Pages' business directory scam. The scammers are now operating a site registered in Austria, 'www.yellow-page-australia.at', after their previous site, 'www.yellow-page-australia.com', was shut down.

SCAMwatch continues to receive reports from small businesses about receiving a fax claiming to be from 'Yellow Page Australia' and 'Open Business Directory Ltd' that, on first glance, appears to be seeking confirmation of their business' contact details. However, on closer inspection, the fax is in fact an agreement to sign up to an online business directory service charged at $99 per month for a minimum two-year period.

Businesses are tricked into thinking the fax is affiliated with Sensis' Yellow Pages® directory by using this well-known Australian company's name and 'Walking Fingers' logo. However, Sensis warns that 'Yellow Page Australia', 'Online Business Directory' and the website 'www.yellow-page-australia.at' are in no way connected with Sensis or Telstra.

In December 2013, Sensis was granted control of the original website, 'www.yellow-page-australia.com', in accordance with the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy, to reduce the risk to customers targeted by the scam. Efforts have already been made to close the new website down, with Western Australia Department of Commerce notifying Austrian authorities.  

A 'Yellow Pages' scam has previously targeted Australian businesses. In April 2011, the ACCC successfully prosecuted two overseas companies for sending thousands of these types of faxes to local businesses. The Federal Court imposed penalties totalling $2.7 million against the perpetrators. Authorities in the United States and Canada also successfully prosecuted other scammers behind this global scheme. Whilst the perpetrators from this round of faxes appear to be different, the conduct is nearly identical.

[Text deleted re: scammers tying in invoice due date with the busy tax time]

Fortunately reports suggest that Aussie businesses are generally alert to the scam and not sending any money or handing over their financial details. However, businesses should be aware that if they complete and return the fax, the scammers may start hassling them for payments, including threatening them with late payment fees. They may also switch to other delivery methods such as email, letter or phone to approach their targets. Don't let these scammers intimidate you or your staff.

SCAMwatch urges small businesses to be alert and follow these three key rules:

  1. If you receive a 'Yellow Pages' fax or email and want to confirm if it is authentic, call Sensis on 13 23 78
  2. If you receive a threatening call, email or fax demanding payment, ignore it and report it.
  3. Spread the word – make sure your staff are alert to how this scam works and how to protect your business (see below).

Don't let scammers slip under your business's radar– stop and think twice before you respond to any unexpected offers, tax invoices or demands for payment.

How these scams work

  •  Your business receives a fax or email out of the blue from an online business directory asking you to confirm your contact details.  On closer inspection of the form's small print, it specifies details of an agreement to sign up to their advertising services.
  • To make the offer appear legitimate, the fax or email claims to come from a well-known business, complete with their logo and branding. It may also include a link to a website that has a reputable-sounding domain name and all the hallmarks of a professional site.
  • If you sign and return the form, the scammer will claim that you have accepted their offer and are locked in to pay an expensive ongoing contract, such as $99 per month for a minimum two-year period. They may demand payment 12 months in advance.
  • If you refuse to pay, the scammers might try to intimidate you by threatening legal action or debt collection.

Protect yourself

  • Make sure the business you are dealing with is the real deal – if you receive a form or tax invoice out of the blue, verify who they are by contacting the company directly using contact details you sourced independently through a phone book or online search. Do not call a number on the fax or email you have received.
  • Don't respond – ignore unexpected or suspicious approaches to your business, whether it be via fax, letter, email, at your store or over the phone. Bin it, delete it, shut the door or just hang up.
  • Protect your details – never give or clarify any information about your business unless you trust the other party. Also ensure you know what the information will be used for.
  • Make yours a 'fraud-free' business – effective management procedures can go a long way towards preventing scams. Have a clearly defined process for verifying and paying accounts and invoices, and try to avoid giving too many staff authorisation to make orders or pay invoices.
  • Don't be intimidated – do not let anyone pressure you into making decisions involving payments or ongoing contracts. If you are unsure, always seek independent financial or legal advice.

Report

If you think you have come across a scammer, you can report it to the ACCC via the report a scam page on SCAMwatch or by calling 1300 795 995.

More information

For more information on how these scams work, check out the small business scams section on SCAMwatch.

Western Australian Department of Commerce and the Small Business Development Corporation are working with Austrian authorities and Australia Post to disrupt this scam – find out more here.

SCAMwatch has  also previously issued alerts on this scam:

For more information on the ACCC's successful 2011 court action against this type of scam, see here:

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.

 

QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Heavy Rain


QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Heavy Rain
Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of the
Wide Bay and Burnett,
Darling Downs and Granite Belt and
Southeast Coast Forecast Districts.

Issued at 2:58 pm Thursday, 23 January 2014.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Toowoomba, Brisbane, Dalby, Ipswich, Kingaroy, Beenleigh, Oakey, Yarraman and Chinchilla.

55mm has been reported at Toowoomba in 60 minutes.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:
* Avoid driving, walking or riding through flood waters.
* Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
* Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm.
* Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.
* For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.

EWN Radar & Alerts Map | QLD Facebook Alerts | Twitter Alerts

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Southeast QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Large Hail, Heavy Rain, Damaging Winds


Southeast QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Large Hail, Heavy Rain, Damaging Winds
Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of the
LOGAN CITY,
IPSWICH CITY and
SCENIC RIM Council Areas.

Issued at 3:14 pm Wednesday, 22 January 2014.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 3:10 pm, severe thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near Harrisville. These thunderstorms are slow moving. They are forecast to affect Peak Crossing by 3:40 pm and the area south of Amberley by 4:10 pm.

Damaging winds, heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and large hailstones are likely.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure loose outdoor items.
* Avoid driving, walking or riding through flood waters.
* Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
* Avoid using the telephone during a thunderstorm.
* Beware of fallen trees and powerlines.
* For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.

EWN Radar & Alerts Map | QLD Facebook Alerts | Twitter Alerts

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SCAMwatch email alert: Computer virus scams now targeting smartphone and tablet users [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

Computer virus scams now targeting smartphone and tablet users

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Added: January 2014

SCAMwatch is warning consumers to beware of scammers targeting their smartphones and tablet devices with the computer virus scam.

This scam has caught out many Australians in recent years, with victims receiving a call out of the blue from a 'technical specialist' claiming that their computer has a virus. The caller convinces the victim to provide them with remote access to their computer, claims that their security has been compromised, and then offers to fix it on the spot – for a fee.

In a new twist, scammers are claiming to be able to fix similar viruses on people's smartphones or tablets. As with the previous version, the scammer will ask you to grant them remote access to your computer, however they will also ask you to connect your mobile device to the computer so that they can access the device through it.

Don't let your guard drop by a sense of urgency – these scammers are well-versed at applying high pressure sales tactics to incite fear and anxiety that your device has been compromised and must be fixed immediately. In fact, the only way that you risk your device's security is by providing access in the first place. If you hand over your money, your device will not receive the promised protection.

Ask yourself: why would a business call and offer to fix your computer unless you contacted them in the first place? If you store personal information on your phone, tablet or computer, keep it out of the hands of scammers – never provide remote access to a stranger.

How the scam works

  • You receive a call out of the blue from someone claiming to be a technical support specialist, who informs you that your computer, smartphone or tablet has been compromised by malicious software.
  • The caller may claim to represent a reputable business such as Microsoft, Windows, Telstra or Bigpond. They may also sound like an expert as they use technical jargon.
  • The 'technician' will ask you to provide them with remote access to your computer so that they can run a scan. If they claim the virus is on your smartphone or tablet, they will ask you to connect the device to your computer so that they can access the device through it.
  • If you provide them with access, they will claim that the scan has indeed detected a virus, and any information stored on the device has been compromised.
  • The 'technician' will then claim that they can restore your computer's security on the spot – for a fee. They will offer to install anti-virus software on to your device for a one-off payment that typically ranges from $100 to $300.
  • If you hesitate to agree, the caller will be very persistent and try to evoke a sense of urgency by claiming that anything could happen to your device if you don't fix it now.
  • To pay, they will ask for your credit card or banking details, or to transfer them money.
  • If you provide remote access to the caller, only then are your compromising your device and personal information. If you hand over your money, your device will never receive the promised security software.

Protect yourself

  • If you receive a phone call from someone claiming there is something wrong with your computer or mobile device's security, just hang up.
  • Never give a stranger remote access to your mobile device or computer.
  • Do not give out your personal, credit card or online account details over the phone unless you initiated the call and the phone number came from a trusted source.
  • Make sure your computer is protected with anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and a good firewall - but only purchase the software from a source that you know and trust.
  • If you think your mobile device or computer's security has been compromised, seek out help or advice from a qualified and reputable technician.
  • 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

Check out previous radars issued on the computer virus scam:

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.

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