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


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

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

Issued at 3:52 pm Thursday, 27 November 2014.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds, heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Gold Coast, Brisbane, Ipswich and Caboolture.

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.

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


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

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

Issued at 1:31 pm Wednesday, 19 November 2014.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds, heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Warwick, Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Brisbane, Dalby, Maroochydore, Gympie, Bundaberg, Kingaroy, Hervey Bay, Fraser Island and Hervey Bay waters.

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.

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QLD Fire Weather Warning


QLD Fire Weather Warning
Source: Bureau of Meteorology

for the Maranoa and Warrego, Darling Downs and Granite Belt, Wide Bay and Burnett and Southeast Coast forecast districts

Issued at 3:44 pm EST on Saturday 15 November 2014.

Weather Situation

A trough situated across the southern interior of Queensland is expected to move eastwards through southeast Queensland on Sunday. A dry and very hot airmass is combining with moderate to fresh and gusty west to northwesterly winds to produce Severe fire dangers over parts of the southern interior this afternoon and evening. These conditions are expected to develop further and lead to Severe to Extreme fire dangers throughout southeast Queensland on Sunday.

For the rest of Saturday 15 November:

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

The Fire Weather Warning for the Central West forecast district has been cancelled.

For Sunday 16 November:

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:
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 more information on Fire Bans please call the Fire Ban Hotline on 1800 020 440. For more information on Prepare. Act. Survive., or how to complete your Bushfire Survival Plan, please visit the Rural Fire Service Queensland web page at www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au.

Total Fire Bans | Fire Danger Rating Maps

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Early Warning Network to list on ASX

Early Warning Network to list on ASX

Opportunity for you to participate in Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Aeeris Limited

As a user of our service you clearly appreciate the benefits such a capability can provide. This member alert is to advise you of the IPO of Aeeris Limited, which owns and operates the Early Warning Network (EWN) service, and your opportunity to participate in its success.

Firstly I want to thank you for your ongoing support and enthusiasm for EWN which launched in 2007. EWN is Australia’s only national location based Severe Weather and All Hazards early warning service. Please see our company website at www.aeeris.com

Aeeris has over 225,000 registered users plus over 100 corporate and government clients to whom we provide critical weather data, systems and alerts in Australia. To date, the EWN technology has been used over 21,000 times to deliver millions of alerts across Australia, protecting staff, citizens, property and business operations.

The exciting opportunity to take part in the IPO of Aeeris Limited is open to everyone and as one of our loyal members, we would like to ensure that you have an opportunity to participate in this exciting phase of our development which will position the company for further growth and ground breaking expansion in the future.

The offer of Aeeris shares is set out in the Prospectus. You should consider the information in the Prospectus before making a decision to invest. Applications for shares can be made by completing a valid Application Form attached to the Prospectus or by submitting a bid via the ASX Bookbuild Facility through your Broker. For a full copy of the prospectus please click here. The offer closes on the 20th of November 2014, and the company's shares are expected to start trading on the ASX on 3rd December 2014.

Once again, I would like to thank you for your support.

Kerry Plowright
Founder,
Executive Chairman and CEO

QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Large Hail, Damaging Winds


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

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

Issued at 2:38 pm Thursday, 6 November 2014.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Warwick, Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Brisbane, Coolangatta, Ipswich, Boonah, Beenleigh and Caboolture.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services 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 Fire Weather Warning


QLD Fire Weather Warning
Source: Bureau of Meteorology

for the Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Maranoa and Warrego, Darling Downs and Granite Belt and Southeast Coast forecast districts

Issued Sunday 26 October 2014.

Weather Situation

A weak ridge extends along the Queensland coast. A surface trough is expected to move into the west of the state tomorrow and move east, reaching the southeastern interior by the late afternoon and evening. Severe Fire Dangers in the Darling Downs and Granite Belt district are expected to continue for the remainder of today. Hot temperatures combined with dry, fresh and gusty winds are expected to cause Extreme Fire Dangers in the Darling Downs and Granite Belt district tomorrow and Severe Fire Dangers in the Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Maranoa and Warrego and Southeast Coast districts tomorrow.

For the rest of Sunday 26 October:

Severe Fire Danger in the following forecast district:
Darling Downs and Granite Belt

For Monday 27 October:

Extreme Fire Danger is forecast for the following forecast district:
Darling Downs and Granite Belt

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:
Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Maranoa and Warrego 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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SCAMwatch email alert: Don’t book a scammer’s holiday [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

October 2014: SCAMwatch is warning would-be travelers to watch out for travel scams as scammers seek to take advantage of those looking for a hard-earned break.

Now is the time of year when many Australians start to turn their minds to their next big holiday. Unfortunately, scammers are ready to pack their bags too – with your money. Just searching for a holiday or responding to a survey online can alert scammers that you are in the market for a holiday, and they won't hesitate to approach you with holiday prizes or offers that always turn out to be too good to be true.

Scammers often initially approach people with claims that they have won a prize such as travel vouchers, only to then try and lure them into signing up for a holiday deal. These deals may seem great – heavily discounted holiday accommodation and airfares to destinations popular with Australians such as Thailand, Bali or our neighbouring Pacific Islands. Other scams offer holidays to Florida or the Bahamas with tickets to theme parks or cruises at greatly discounted rates. However, in reality the package or the prize doesn't exist, and victims are left out of pocket and stranded overseas with no accommodation.

Watch out - scammers may also claim to be affiliated with well-known and reputable businesses to try and convince you that they're the real deal. Sometimes the scammers will provide the tickets and itinerary but when it comes time to travel the tickets are useless and the business cannot be contacted. If you are considering buying a holiday package through a third party, you should contact the accommodation provider directly to verify the deal using contact details sourced independently.

If you come across an amazing holiday package or 'win' a holiday out of the blue, make sure it's the real deal. Don't let scammers ruin your hard-earned break – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

How this scam works           

  • You are searching for a holiday online and come across an amazing package that you decide to sign up for. Shortly afterwards, you receive a notification out of the blue by phone, text, email or post claiming that you have won a prize comprised of travel vouchers, often worth $2000 or $3000.
  • Alternatively, you participate in an online survey and are subsequently notified that you have won a holiday or vouchers.
  • When you go to claim your prize, you are told that you first need to buy more travel vouchers. However, the person you are talking to or corresponding with presents you with an amazing offer for a heavily discounted accommodation or holiday package. These packages are typically for destinations popular with Australians such as Thailand, Bali or the Pacific Islands, and can be used any time over the next 12 to 18 months. Other scams offer holidays to Florida or the Bahamas with tickets to theme parks or cruises at greatly discounted rates.
  • If you decide to take up this offer, you will be asked to provide your credit card and licence details before they can send you the prize.
  • If you hand over your details, the scammer will quickly use these to take money from your account. They may also use your personal details to commit identity theft.
  • The promised prize or vouchers will either never arrive, or if they do, will be dishonoured when you try to redeem them.

Protect yourself

  • If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is: Many scams will promote "free", "complimentary" and "discounted" deals that may sound so appealing that they are hard to resist. Find out if the offer is the real deal – call the holiday accommodation provider directly, research the 'business' that you're dealing with, and search online for reviews.
  • Know who you're dealing with: If you have 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 contact details provided by the person – find them through an independent source such as a phone book or online search.
  • Book through an accredited agent: If you are looking to go on a holiday, you can use a travel agent to make sure you get legitimate accommodation. If using a travel agent, find out if they are accredited through the Australian Federation of Travel Agents' ATAS scheme.  ATAS-accredited agents must abide by a code of conduct and have dispute resolution procedures in place. 
  • The way you pay matters: Different means of payment offer different protections. Be wary of requests for cheques, bank or wire transfers when booking travel. If booking online, choose secure payment methods. If you pay with a credit card, you may be able to seek a chargeback if you don't get what you pay for.
  • 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.

Report

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

More information

In April the ACCC issued a SCAMwatch alert on a travel scam where scammers posing as Qantas staff claiming that they've won a credit towards their next holiday: Automated scam calls claiming to be from Qantas with bogus holiday win.

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.

Southeast QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Damaging Winds


Southeast QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Damaging Winds
Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of the Ipswich, Somerset, Dalby, South Burnett, Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley Council Areas.

Issued at 7:38 pm Monday, 13 October 2014.

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 7:35 pm, severe thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near the area northwest of Toowoomba and Bell. These thunderstorms are moving towards the east. They are forecast to affect the area north of Toowoomba, Cooyar and Bunya Mountains by 8:05 pm and Laidley, Gatton and Esk by 8:35 pm.

Damaging winds are likely.

A wind gust of 104km.hr has been observed at Dalby.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services 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 the
Darling Downs and Granite Belt,
Southeast Coast and parts of the
Central Highlands and Coalfields and
Wide Bay and Burnett Forecast Districts.

Issued at 2:57 pm Thursday, 25 September 2014.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Warwick, Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Brisbane, Dalby, Coolangatta, Ipswich, Moreton Bay and islands, Kingaroy, Stanthorpe, Caboolture and Taroom.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services 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 the
Southeast Coast and parts of the
Central Highlands and Coalfields,
Wide Bay and Burnett and
Darling Downs and Granite Belt Forecast Districts.

Issued at 2:14 pm Thursday, 25 September 2014.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Warwick, Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Brisbane, Dalby, Coolangatta, Ipswich, Moreton Bay and islands, Kingaroy, Stanthorpe, Caboolture and Taroom.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services 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: Indigenous consumers, watch out for scams – the top scams reported [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

September 2014: SCAMwatch is urging Indigenous consumers, especially those living in rural and remote communities, to be on the lookout for scammers trying to trick you into handing over your personal details or money.

The top three scams that Indigenous consumers have reported to SCAMwatch this year are:

  • Government or business affiliation scams – scammers claiming to represent a well-known and trusted organisation with false claims that they are entitled to money
  • Phishing scams – scammers 'fishing' for personal details or money
  • Online shopping scams – scammers taking people for a ride when buying or selling online.

Scammers are also known to approach people and communities with more sophisticated scams where they offer huge amounts of money – sometimes even millions of dollars. These fraudsters will claim that you've won a prize, are entitled to an inheritance or need help with getting money out of their country. They may even claim that they can assist with funds to support your community, but the money doesn't exist and there are always fees to be paid.

Scammers typically ask targets to send them money via a money transfer service as it's hard to trace and nearly impossible to recover. Be on guard – requests for payments may not happen straight away, with scammers prepared to invest considerable time, sometimes weeks or months, before asking for money.

SCAMwatch also urges traditional owners, shire and council officers or individuals to be vigilant – unfortunately, scammers often target respected community figures in positions of authority. For instance, the ACCC's North Queensland office is currently working with indigenous communities that have recently been approached by scammers pedalling advance fee fraud schemes.

Watch out – if someone approaches you or your community with an offer that seems too good to be true, say no and walk away. If you think you have fallen victim to a scam, don't feel shame – report it the ACCC through the Indigenous Hotline: 1300 303 143.

What to look out for

Here are some common scams that Indigenous consumers report to SCAMwatch:

  • Government affiliation scams – someone will ring, email or send you a letter pretending to represent a government authority such as Centrelink or the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). They will claim that you are entitled to money, but that you first have to pay them money to cover 'taxes' or 'fees'. If you pay, you will never receive the promised money, nor see the money you sent again.
  • Phishing scams – you receive a call or email from someone claiming that you need to update or verify your personal details, e.g. you bank card has been cancelled and you need to reactive it. Typical information requested include your date of birth, bank details, driver's licence, Medicare or tax file number. They may even ask you to visit a website or click on a link, which will result in your computer being infected with malware.  If you hand over your details, the scammer may commit ID theft or use it to steal your money.
  • Online shopping scams – an item is advertised on an online classifieds site at a very low price, often lower than comparable items advertised on the same website. The seller typically claims to be overseas and will ask you to complete the sale outside of the site, e.g. by electronic funds transfer or a wire service. If you are buying something that seems to be 'too good to be true', beware!

Protect yourself

  • If you have doubts about the identity of a caller who claims to represent a government authority or business, contact them directly. Don't rely on contact details provided by the person – find their details through an independent source such as a phone book or online search.
  • If someone you don't know is asking for personal information or money, don't engage – press 'delete', shut the door or just hang up.
  • Don't open any attachments, click on any links or reply to suspicious emails – they may take you to a bogus website or contain a dangerous virus.
  • If you think you have provided your account details to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately.
  • Don't trust the legitimacy of an ad just because it appears on a well-known and trusted online shopping site—scammers post fake ads on these too.  If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
  • Wherever possible, avoid any arrangement with a stranger that asks for upfront payment via money order, wire transfer or international funds transfer service such as Western Union. It is rare to recover money sent this way.
  • If you think you've spotted a scam, tell us about it (see contact details below), and help protect your family and friends by spreading the word.

Report and tell others – don't feel shame

Tell someone if you think you've been scammed – don't feel shame.

You can report scams to the ACCC Indigenous Hotline on 1300 303 143.

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

More information

Check out and 'like' the ACCC 'Your Rights Mob' Indigenous consumers Facebook profile

Sign up and get scam email alerts Register for free: SCAMwatch email alerts.

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 Fire Weather Warning


QLD Fire Weather Warning
Source: Bureau of Meteorology

for the Southeast Coast forecast district

Issued at 4:26 pm EST on Monday 1 September 2014.

Weather Situation

A surface trough is expected to enter the far southwest of the state later this evening and rapidly move east during the rest of tonight and into Tuesday. Warm, dry, fresh and gusty west to northwesterly winds are expected to develop ahead of the trough during Tuesday morning.

For Tuesday 2 September:

Severe Fire Danger is forecast for the following forecast district:
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 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 Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Large Hail


QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Large Hail
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 1:13 pm Wednesday, 27 August 2014.

Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce large hailstones in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Maroochydore, Gympie, Kingaroy, Noosa, Caboolture, Caloundra, Wondai, Murgon and Yarraman.

Further south over the eastern Darling Downs and western Southeast Coast district, slow moving storms may produce large amounts of small hail, which may lead drainage problems and dangerous road conditions. Locations which may be affected include Toowoomba, Clifton and Warwick.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover.
* 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: Consumers with a disability – be on guard against scammers [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

August 2014: SCAMwatch is warning consumers with a disability to be on guard against scams – unfortunately, scammers target people whom they think may be vulnerable to try and take advantage of them. 

Some common scams reported by consumers with a disability include fraudsters claiming:

  • to represent a government authority  or well-known business
  • that they are looking for a relationship
  • that the target has won a lottery or competition.

Scammers employ a range of delivery methods to contact you such as a phone call, text message, email, through an online forum, or even face-to-face by knocking on your door. Their ultimate goal is to obtain your personal information or steal your money.

Consumers with a disability, beware – if you receive an approach out of the blue from someone asking for personal information or money, don't engage – press 'delete', shut the door or just hang up.

How these scams work


Scammers claiming to represent a government agency or legitimate business

  • Many scammers take advantage of consumers' trust in government authorities and well-known businesses or brands in order to steal your personal details or money.
  • As the National Disability Insurance Scheme rolls out, consumers with a disability should be particularly wary of anyone who contacts them claiming to be from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and asking for personal or financial information.
  • Scammers will often claim that you are entitled to a refund or payment from the government or business. However, in order to receive the money, they will claim that you first need to make a payment to them to cover taxes, fees or administration costs.
  • To make this payment, they will either ask you to hand over your financial details or send money via a wire transfer. Alternatively, they may ask you to click on a link in an email to fill out a form or find out more information.
  • If you hand over your personal details to a scammer, they may be used to commit identity theft or to take your money. If you hand over money, you won't get it back. If you click on a link in a scam email, your computer may become infected with malicious software and compromise its security.

The NDIA advises that it will not ask for your financial details over the phone or via email.  If you receive a call out of the blue from someone claiming to represent the NDIA and you are unsure whether they are the real deal, hang up. You can then call the NDIA using their official contact number: 1800 650 717.

Dating and romance scams

  • Scammers often approach people online claiming to be looking for love. They will form an emotional attachment with their victims and then take advantage of this to repeatedly ask for money.
  • You meet someone online through a dating or social networking website. Your admirer asks to communicate outside of the platform (thereby away from any safeguards that the platform may have).
  • You find yourself become increasingly emotionally involved with your admirer as you communicate with them over weeks, months and sometimes even years.
  • At some point your admirer asks you to provide financial assistance to help cover costs associated with illness, injury, a family crisis, or even to cover costs to travel and meet you. They will typically ask you to send the money via wire transfer.
  • If you send them money, you will then receive further requests or pleas for money.  If you do so, you risk being left broke and with a broken heart.

Never send money to someone you have not met face-to-face. If your online admirer asks for money, no matter what the reason is, ask yourself: 'Do I really know who I'm dealing with?'

Unexpected prize scams

  • Scammers often send emails, text messages or letters to people claiming that they have won cash or a prize in a fake overseas lottery or a competition – one that they never entered in the first place. 
  • If you respond to a notification that you've won a lottery or competition that you never entered, you will be asked to make a payment via wire transfer to cover 'taxes' or 'administration fees' before the prize or cash can be released.
  • If you hand over your money, you will never see it again, and the promised prize will never arrive.

If you are notified that you have won a prize or lottery, ask yourself – did I even enter it? If not, press 'delete' or throw it in the bin – it's a scam.

Protect yourself

  • If you receive an approach out of the blue from someone asking for personal information or money, don't engage – press 'delete', shut the door or just hang up.
  • If you have doubts about the identity of a caller who claims to represent a government authority or business, contact the authority or business directly. Don't rely on contact details provided by the person – find them through an independent source such as a phone book or online search.
  • If you receive a call out of the blue from someone claiming to represent the NDIA and you are unsure whether they are the real deal, hang up and then call the NDIA using their official contact number: 1800 800 110.
  • Remember that you can still receive scam calls even if you have a private number or have listed your number on the Australian Government's Do Not Call Register. Scammers can obtain your number fraudulently or from anywhere it has been publicly listed such as in a phone book.
  • Keep your personal details personal: Never share personal, banking or credit card information or photos with someone you don't know and trust.
  • Don't open any attachments or click on any links in, or reply to, suspicious emails – they may take you to a bogus website or contain a malicious virus.
  • Always keep your computer security up to date with anti-virus and anti-spyware software and a good firewall. Only buy computer and anti-virus software from a reputable source.
  • 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 SCAMwatch report a scam page or by calling 1300 795 995.

You can provide information about suspected fraudulent or unethical behaviour impacting the NDIS by email at fraudreporting@ndis.gov.au or by calling 1800 650 717. Information may be provided anonymously. 

If you are a TTY user – phone 1800 555 677 then ask for 1800 650 717 (for NDIS) or 1300 795 995 (for SCAMwatch).  If you are a Speak and Listen (speech-to-speech relay) user – phone 1800 555 727 then ask for 1800 650 717 (for NDIS) or 1300 795 995 (for SCAMwatch).  If you are an internet relay user – visit the National Relay Service website and ask for: 1800 650 717 (for NDIS) or 1300 795 995 (for SCAMwatch).  If you require more information, visit the National Relay Service website

More information


The NDIA has issued a media release scams targeting NDIS participants: 'Protecting your personal details from scammers'.

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.