Queensland Consumer Watch

Southeast QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Large Hail, Destructive Winds

Southeast QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Large Hail, Destructive Winds

Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in the LOCKYER VALLEY, IPSWICH CITY and parts of the BRISBANE CITY, GYMPIE, MORETON BAY, SCENIC RIM, SOMERSET, SOUTH BURNETT and TOOWOOMBA Council Areas.

Issued at 4:47 pm Wednesday, 13 November 2013.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 4:45 pm, very dangerous thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near Hatton Vale, Marburg and the area south of Biggenden. These thunderstorms are moving towards the northeast to southeast. Very dangerous thunderstorms are forecast to affect Lowood, Fernvale and the area north of Goomeri by 5:15 pm and the ranges between Gympie and Murgon, Lake Manchester, Upper Brookfield, Mount Nebo and Goomeri by 5:45 pm.

Other severe thunderstorms were located near Grantham and Helidon. They are forecast to affect Gatton and the area north of Gatton by 5:15 pm and the area south of Esk and southern Lake Wivenhoe by 5:45 pm.

Destructive winds and large hailstones are likely.

Several reports of golf ball sized hail and minor wind damage near and south of Toowoomba before 4:30pm.

Emergency Management Queensland advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure loose outdoor items.
* 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.

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QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Large Hail, Damaging Winds

QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Large Hail, Damaging Winds

Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 7:23 pm Tuesday, 12 November 2013.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Emerald, Clermont, Blackwater, Moranbah, Capella, Dysart, Ipswich, Kingaroy and Boonah.

Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Herbert and Lower Burdekin, Central West and Maranoa and Warrego districts and the warning for these districts is CANCELLED.

A 107km/h wind gust was observed at Roma airport at 15:10 AEST.

Emergency Management Queensland advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure loose outdoor items.
* 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.

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QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Large Hail, Damaging Winds

QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Large Hail, Damaging Winds

Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of the
Northwest,
Channel Country,
Darling Downs and Granite Belt and
Southeast Coast Forecast Districts.

Issued at 12:37 pm Sunday, 10 November 2013.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and large hailstones over the next several hours in parts of the Darling Downs and Granite Belt and Southeast Coast districts. Locations which may be affected include Warwick, Ipswich, Stanthorpe, Boonah, Allora and Clifton.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds over the next several hours in parts of the Northwest and Channel Country districts. Locations which may be affected include Bedourie, Boulia, Urandangie, Glenormiston and Davenport Downs Station.

Emergency Management Queensland advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure loose outdoor items.
* 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.

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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 .

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

QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Large Hail, Damaging Winds

QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Large Hail, Damaging Winds

Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 11:34 am Tuesday, 29 October 2013.

Thunderstorms have developed over the Darling Downs and are moving towards the east. It is likely thunderstorms could become severe within the warning area over the next several hours. Damaging winds and large hailstones are likely. Locations which may be affected include Warwick, Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Brisbane, Dalby, Roma, Coolangatta, Ipswich, Moreton Bay and islands, Kingaroy, Stanthorpe and Goondiwindi.

Emergency Management Queensland advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure loose outdoor items.
* 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.

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QLD Severe Weather Forecast

QLD Severe Weather Forecast

The following is an advisory produced by the Early Warning Network. An SMS has not been sent with this message.

Tuesday 29 October

There is an increased threat of severe thunderstorms across Southeast Queensland this afternoon and again this evening/tonight. Some of these are likely to contain damaging winds, large hail and possibly heavy rainfall.

EWN issues a daily Significant Weather Threat Map for Australia. This is produced each morning and highlights threats for the next 24 hours.

You can view this on our homepage or our facebook pages.

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Google Alert - "Queensland Scam"

News	1 new result for "Queensland Scam"

Queensland regions must grow: Premier - Brisbane Times

Entitled Queensland Scam, the aim is to win the hearts and minds of the now-dejected populace under occupation. Stage 1, a series of cleverly-devised pseudo ...

See all stories on this topic »

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QLD Fire Weather Warning

QLD Fire Weather Warning

Source: Bureau of Meteorology

for the North West, Channel Country, Maranoa and Warrego, Darling Downs and Granite Belt and Southeast Coast forecast districts

Issued at 3:13 pm EST on Thursday 10 October 2013.

Weather Situation

High temperatures, dry air, and fresh and gusty west to northwesterly winds ahead of a surface trough, will extend through the southern interior and the southeast.

For the rest of Thursday 10 October:

Extreme Fire Danger in the following forecast district:
Channel Country

Severe Fire Danger in the following forecast districts:
North West, Maranoa and Warrego and Darling Downs and Granite Belt

For Friday 11 October:

Severe Fire Danger is forecast for the following forecast districts:
Darling Downs and Granite Belt and Southeast Coast
The Rural Fire Service Queensland advises that fires may be unpredictable, uncontrollable and fast-moving.

The Rural Fire Service Queensland advises you to:

Check your bushfire survival plan - Now.
Monitor the fire and weather situation in any way you can through www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au and www.bom.gov.au, television or radio.
Call Triple Zero if you see a fire.

The Rural Fire Service Queensland advises that if you are in an area of Extreme Fire Danger:

Leaving is the only option for your survival.
If you plan to leave finalise your options and leave early on the day.
A well prepared and well constructed home may not be safe.

The Rural Fire Service Queensland advises that if you are in an area of Severe Fire Danger:

Leaving is the safest option for your survival.
If you plan to leave finalise your options and leave early on the day.
Only stay if your home is well prepared and well constructed and you can actively defend it.
Prepare for the emotional, mental and physical impact of defending your property - if in doubt, leave early.

For information on Fire Bans and how to Prepare. Act. Survive. Visit the Rural Fire Service web page at www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au or call the hotline on 1800 020 440.

Total Fire Bans | Fire Danger Rating Maps

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QLD Fire Weather Warning

QLD Fire Weather Warning

Source: Bureau of Meteorology

for the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Central West, Channel Country, Maranoa and Warrego, Darling Downs and Granite Belt, Wide Bay and Burnett and Southeast Coast forecast districts

Issued at 1:18 pm EST on Sunday 6 October 2013.

Weather Situation

High temperatures, very dry air, and fresh and gusty westerly winds in the wake of a surface trough will extend through the south during the day.
For the rest of Sunday 6 October:

Severe Fire Danger in the following forecast district:
Darling Downs and Granite Belt
For Monday 7 October:

Extreme Fire Danger is forecast for the following forecast districts:
Darling Downs and Granite Belt and Southeast Coast
The Rural Fire Service Queensland advises that fires may be unpredictable, uncontrollable and fast-moving.

Severe Fire Danger is forecast for the following forecast districts:
Central Highlands and Coalfields, Central West, Channel Country, Maranoa and Warrego and Wide Bay and Burnett
The Rural Fire Service Queensland advises that fires may be unpredictable, uncontrollable and fast-moving.

The Rural Fire Service Queensland advises you to:

Check your bushfire survival plan - Now.
Monitor the fire and weather situation in any way you can through www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au and www.bom.gov.au, television or radio.
Call Triple Zero if you see a fire.

The Rural Fire Service Queensland advises that if you are in an area of Extreme Fire Danger:

Leaving is the only option for your survival.
If you plan to leave finalise your options and leave early on the day.
A well prepared and well constructed home may not be safe.

The Rural Fire Service Queensland advises that if you are in an area of Severe Fire Danger:

Leaving is the safest option for your survival.
If you plan to leave finalise your options and leave early on the day.
Only stay if your home is well prepared and well constructed and you can actively defend it.
Prepare for the emotional, mental and physical impact of defending your property - if in doubt, leave early.

For information on Fire Bans and how to Prepare. Act. Survive. Visit the Rural Fire Service web page at www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au or call the hotline on 1800 020 440.

Total Fire Bans | Fire Danger Rating Maps

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EWN Significant Weather Threat Map

EWN Significant Weather Threat Map

Hi everyone,

Some of you may have spotted this already - the new EWN Significant Weather Threat Map for Australia.

This is produced each morning and highlights threats for the next 24 hours (even if those areas have no warnings). Threats highlighted include:
- heavy rain
- thunderstorms
- tropical cyclones and other strong low pressure systems likely to cause heavy rain, severe winds or dangerous surf
- areas of well above average heat
- areas of well below average cold
- severe, extreme and catastrophic fire dangers
- snow, frost and ice
- significant areas of raised dust

You can view this on our homepage or our facebook pages.

It is also delivered by email if you subscribe to our All Alerts product.

For custom forecasts and alerting services please visit our product pages. We can supply detailed outlooks for days 2 to 7 to suit your needs. These can be for a whole state, a region or a specific location such as mining operation.

regards,
EWN Support Team.

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SCAMwatch email alert: Beware of fake charities [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

Beware of fake charities

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Added: October 2013

SCAMwatch and the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) are reminding people to beware of scammers pretending to represent a charity or not-for-profit organisation.

How these scams work

Fake charities operate in a number of different ways:

You may be approached on the street or in your home by people collecting money.
Some scammers may call you or email you with emails requesting donations.
Scammers may also set up fake websites which look similar to those operated by real charities.

Scammers may also play on your emotions, for example by claiming to help children who are ill.
Fake charities occur all year round but are also created directly in response to disasters, such as floods, cyclones, earthquakes and bushfires.

Protect yourself

Approach charity organisations directly to make a donation or offer support.
If you are approached out of the blue by a collector:

Ask to see their identification.
Check the ACNC register to find out whether the charity is listed. To be registered as a charity and appear on the Register, organisations must meet the legal meaning of being a charity, and other requirements of the ACNC Act.
Call the charity to verify that the person represents their organisation

Don't rely on a phone number or website address given by the person who first called, visited or emailed you because they could be impersonating a legitimate charity.
Never give out your personal, credit card or online account details unless you initiated contact and it is a trusted source.
Don't open suspicious or unsolicited emails (spam)—delete them.
Where possible, avoid any arrangement with a stranger who asks for up-front payment via money order, wire transfer or international funds transfer. It is rare to recover money sent this way.
If you think you have provided your account details to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately.

Report

If you think you've spotted a scam, report a scam to SCAMwatch or contact the ACCC on 1300 795 995. You should also spread the word to your friends and family to protect them.

More information

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

SCAMwatch has previously issued the following radars on charity scams:

View the ACNC video 'Protect yourself from charity scams'.

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

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

QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Damaging Winds

QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Damaging Winds

Source: Bureau of Meteorology

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

Issued at 8:19 pm Tuesday, 1 October 2013.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Warwick, Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Brisbane, Dalby and Kingaroy.

An 87 km/h wind gust was recorded at Oakey at 7:48pm.
A report of wind gusts in excess of 125 km/hr was received from south of Condamine.

Emergency Management Queensland advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure loose outdoor items.
* 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.

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