QLD Severe Weather Warning: Heavy Rain & Destructive Winds

QLD Severe Weather Warning: Heavy Rain & Destructive Winds Source: Bureau of Meteorology for DESTRUCTIVE WINDS, HEAVY RAINFALL, ABNORMALLY HIGH TIDES and DANGEROUS SURF For people in the Wide Bay and Burnett, Southeast Coast and parts of the Darling Downs and Granite Belt Forecast Districts. Issued at 4:30 pm Saturday, 26 January 2013. Synoptic Situation: At 4pm EST, Ex Tropical Cyclone Oswald was slow moving over the Central Highlands and Coalfields district, about 75km east northeast of Emerald and 250km west northwest of Gladstone. Ex Tropical Cyclone Oswald is expected to move south southeast this evening and through Sunday, contracting into New South Wales on Monday. Damaging winds, with gusts of around 110km/h are expected over the Wide Bay and Burnett, northern stretches of the Sunshine Coast and northern parts of the Darling Downs and Granite Belt district. Wind gusts in excess of 125km/h may occur and this could cause significant damage or destruction to homes and property in localised areas. These conditions are expected to contract southwards into the Southeast Coast district and also extend west to the Great Dividing Range during Sunday, with destructive wind gusts in excess of 125 km/h possibly developing, which could cause significant damage or destruction to homes and property in localised areas. There have been multiple reports of tornado activity through the northern Wide Bay this afternoon. Heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding is expected over the Wide Bay and Burnett district and Southeast Coast district, extending west to the Great Dividing Range. Six hour rainfall accumulations in excess of 100mm are likely. This could lead to rapid river and stream rises. Widespread 24 hour rainfall accumulations in excess of 250mm are likely. Currently, the heaviest rain is located on radar over the southern Capricornia district and through the Wide Bay and Burnett district. Some areas through the southern Capricornia have now recorded over 1000mm over the past 48 hours. Since 9am today, Walla has recorded 154mm, Bundaberg 104mm and Bungadoo 102mm. Water levels on the morning high tides are likely to exceed the highest tide of the year about coastal and island locations from Burnett Heads to the New South Wales border during Sunday and Monday. The sea level is likely to rise above the normal tide and the exposed beaches will experience damaging waves and flooding of some low lying areas close to the shoreline. Dangerous surf conditions, with significant beach erosion, are expected along the coast from Burnett Heads to the New South Wales border, particularly during Sunday and Monday. This includes Hervey Bay and northern parts of Moreton Bay. Flood Warnings are current for various rivers and streams in these districts, see www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings. A separate Severe Weather Warning is current for the Capricornia and Central Highlands and Coalfields districts. 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. * Beware of fallen trees and powerlines. * Avoid driving, walking or riding through flood waters. * Keep clear of creeks and storm drains. * Surf Life Saving Australia recommends that you stay out of the water and stay well away from surf-exposed areas. * Check your property regularly for erosion or inundation by sea water, and if necessary raise goods and electrical items. * For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500. EWN Radar | Alerts Map | Discussion Forum | QLD Facebook Alerts | Twitter Alerts

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QLD Severe Weather Warning: Heavy Rain & Damaging Winds

QLD Severe Weather Warning: Heavy Rain & Damaging Winds Source: Bureau of Meteorology for DAMAGING WINDS, HEAVY RAINFALL, ABNORMALLY HIGH TIDES and DANGEROUS SURF For people in the Wide Bay and Burnett, Southeast Coast and parts of the Darling Downs and Granite Belt Forecast Districts. Issued at 4:45 pm Friday, 25 January 2013. Synoptic Situation: At 4pm EST, Ex Tropical Cyclone Oswald was located over the central interior of Queensland around 100km northeast of Emerald and 160km west northwest of Rockhampton, moving south southeast at around 15 km/h. A trough extends from Ex Tropical Cyclone Oswald to the southern Capricornia coast. The trough and low are expected to continue moving south, reaching southeast districts on Sunday. Damaging winds, with peak gusts of around 100km/h are possible over the Wide Bay and Burnett and northern stretches of the Darling Downs and Granite Belt district today, particularly over higher ground and near the coast. These conditions are expected to extend through remaining areas on and east of the Great Dividing Range and to the New South Wales border over the weekend, particularly Saturday night and Sunday. Heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding is expected over the Wide Bay and Burnett district and areas of the Southeast Coast district north of Brisbane for the remainder of today, extending through remaining parts of the Southeast Coast district late tonight or early Saturday. 6 hour rainfall accumulations in excess of 100mm are likely. Areas from Fraser Island to the New South Wales border and west to the Great Dividing Range are likely to be affected, particularly coastal locations and the hinterland. Currently, the heaviest rain is located on radar over the southern Capricornia into far northern parts of the Wide Bay and Burnett district. Areas just south of Rockhampton have recorded 170mm since 9am today. Water levels on the high tide are likely to exceed the highest tide of the year about coastal and island locations from Burnett Heads to the New South Wales border during Saturday and Sunday. The sea is likely to rise to a level above the normal tide and the exposed beaches will experience damaging waves and flooding of some low lying areas close to the shoreline. Dangerous surf conditions, with some beach erosion, are expected to develop along the coast from Burnett Heads to the New South Wales border from Saturday, particularly late Sunday and Monday. This includes Hervey Bay and northern parts of Moreton Bay. Flood Warnings are current for various rivers and streams in these districts, see www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings. A separate Severe Weather Warning is current for the Capricornia and Central Highlands and Coalfields forecast districts. 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. * Beware of fallen trees and powerlines. * Avoid driving, walking or riding through flood waters. * Keep clear of creeks and storm drains. * Surf Life Saving Australia recommends that you stay out of the water and stay well away from surf-exposed areas. * Check your property regularly for erosion or inundation by sea water, and if necessary raise goods and electrical items. * For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500. EWN Radar | Alerts Map | Discussion Forum | QLD Facebook Alerts | Twitter Alerts

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QLD Severe Weather Warning: Heavy Rain

QLD Severe Weather Warning: Heavy Rain Source: Bureau of Meteorology For people in the Central Coast and Whitsundays, Capricornia, Wide Bay and Burnett and parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields and Southeast Coast Forecast Districts. Issued at 10:38 pm Thursday, 24 January 2013. Synoptic Situation: At 10pm, Ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald was located over land, approximately 150 km west-northwest of Mackay and moving south-southeast at about 20 kilometres per hour. The monsoon trough extended from the Gulf of Carpentaria to Ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald and then to the east coast near Fraser Island. Destructive winds with gusts in excess of 125 km/hr are possible about the Central Coast-Whitsundays and Capricornia districts. Areas that may be affected include islands and coastal areas between Bowen and Agnes Water. Damaging winds with gusts to 90 km/hr are possible over the Wide Bay and Burnett district. Areas that may be affected include islands and coastal locations between Agnes Water and Sandy Cape. Heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding is likely over the Central Coast-Whitsundays, Capricornia, Wide Bay and Burnett, eastern parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields, extending to the Sunshine Coast during Friday. Coastal locations and adjacent inland areas between Bowen and Brisbane may be affected. Six hour rainfall accumulations of 100 to 200mm are possible. Heavy rain areas are expected to begin easing from the Central Coast-Whitsundays district during Friday morning. Flood Warnings are current for various rivers and streams in these districts, see www.bom.gov.au/qld/warnings. Heavy rainfall and damaging winds are no longer occurring in the Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders and Herbert and Lower Burdekin districts, hence the Severe Weather Warning for these districts is CANCELLED. 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. * Beware of fallen trees and powerlines. * Avoid driving, walking or riding through flood waters. * Keep clear of creeks and storm drains. * For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500. EWN Radar | Alerts Map | Discussion Forum | QLD Facebook Alerts | Twitter Alerts

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Google Alert - "Queensland Scam"

News 1 new result for "Queensland Scam"

'Ticket-selling scam' busted after allegedly selling fake tickets ... Courier Mail POLICE have busted a ticket-selling scam operating out of Sydney's south west ... Victoria and Queensland; Swedish House Mafia; and the AFL grand final.

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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 Gulf Country, Northwest, Central Highlands and Coalfields, Central West, Channel Country, Wide Bay and Burnett, Maranoa and Warrego, Darling Downs and Granite Belt and Southeast Coast Forecast Districts. Issued at 2:12 pm Friday, 28 December 2012. Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in parts of the Gulf Country and Northwest districts. Locations which may be affected include Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Burketown, Mornington Island, Normanton and Camooweal. Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds, heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and large hailstones over the next several hours in parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Central West, Wide Bay and Burnett, Maranoa and Warrego, Darling Downs and Granite Belt and Southeast Coast districts. Locations which may be affected include Warwick, Toowoomba, Dalby, Roma, St George and Ipswich. Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds over the next several hours in parts of the Channel Country and Maranoa and Warrego districts. Locations which may be affected include Thargomindah, Cunnamulla, Quilpie, Eromanga, Mt Howitt Station and Barringun. Emergency Management Queensland 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. NEW: EWN Alerts Map | EWN Discussion Forum | EWN Mobile Apps

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Southeast QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Heavy Rain

Southeast QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Heavy Rain Source: Bureau of Meteorology For people in parts of the LOCKYER VALLEY, LOGAN CITY, IPSWICH CITY and SCENIC RIM Council Areas. Issued at 2:03 pm Friday, 21 December 2012. The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 2:05 pm, severe thunderstorms were detected on weather radar near Boonah and Beaudesert. They are forecast to affect the area between Boonah and Beaudesert and Tamborine by 2:35 pm and Jimboomba, Harrisville and Peak Crossing by 3:05 pm. Heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding is likely. Emergency Management Queensland 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. NEW: EWN Alerts Map | EWN Discussion Forum | EWN Mobile Apps

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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 Gulf Country, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Central Highlands and Coalfields, Wide Bay and Burnett, Southeast Coast and parts of the Peninsula, Northwest, Central West, Capricornia and Darling Downs and Granite Belt Forecast Districts. Issued at 2:43 pm Tuesday, 18 December 2012. Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding over the next several hours in the Gulf Country, Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders and parts of the Peninsula, Northwest, Central Highlands and Coalfields and Central West districts. Locations which may be affected include Mornington Island, Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Georgetown, Burketown, Normanton, Camooweal, Croydon and Kowanyama. Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds, heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding and large hailstones over the next several hours in the Wide Bay and Burnett, Southeast Coast and parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Central West, Capricornia and Darling Downs and Granite Belt districts. Locations which may be affected include Warwick, Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Brisbane, Dalby, Maroochydore, Gympie, Bundaberg, Emerald, Clermont, Kingaroy and Stanthorpe. Severe thunderstorms are no longer occurring in the Maranoa and Warrego district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED. Emergency Management Queensland 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. NEW: EWN Alerts Map | EWN Discussion Forum | EWN Mobile Apps

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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 18 December There is an increased chance of severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening across the Southeast Coast district, particularly over the Brisbane Valley. Large hail, flash flooding and damaging winds are a possibility in storms today. Email us your storm photos or use your EWN Mobile App to upload weather images and observations to the EWN Alerts Page. NEW: EWN Alerts Map | EWN Discussion Forum | EWN Mobile Apps

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SCAMwatch email alert: Don’t be fooled by scams this festive season [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

Don't be fooled by scams this festive season

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December 2012: SCAMwatch is warning people to be on the lookout this festive season not just for flying reindeer and bargain gifts but also scam surprises wrapped up as the real deal.

Scammers like to take advantage of the busy and charitable nature of the festive season to slip under your radar. Some scams to watch out for include online shopping scams, fake delivery scams and charity scams.

SCAMwatch urges you to watch out not just for Santa Claus, but unwanted surprises too. Remember, if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.

How these scams work

Online shopping scams
If you are planning to buy gifts online, watch out for scammers. Common online shopping scams are:

• Not getting what you paid for – scammers sell a product and send a faulty or inferior quality item, or nothing at all.
• Online auction scams – scammers claim that you have a second chance to buy an item that you unsuccessfully bid on because the winner pulled out. The scammer lures you offline and outside of the auction site's secure payment facility to transfer them money that you'll never see again.
• Online classified scams – buyers should beware of scammers posting fake ads on legitimate classifieds websites.  Sellers should also beware of scammers who respond to ads with a generous offer, then 'accidentally' overpay by cheque or money order. The 'buyer' hopes you will refund the excess amount by money transfer before the original cheque or money order bounces/ fails.

Fake delivery scams
Unexpected delivery notification? Think twice before paying up to avoid a nasty surprise.

• You receive notification from what appears to be a postal service provider that they made an unsuccessful attempt to deliver a parcel.
• The 'company' informs you that in order to have the parcel redelivered, you will need to pay a fee.
• If you send them money, it will be lost as well as the parcel as it never existed.
  

Charity scams
If you are looking to give to a cause or those in need, make sure that your money goes to a legitimate charity and not a scammer.

• You are approached in person, by email or mail by someone claiming to be collecting donations on behalf of a legitimate cause or charity, or a fictitious but authentic-sounding charity.
• The scammer may use emails, letters or have developed websites that use official-looking logos and words to make them look genuine. The scammer may also play on your emotions by claiming to collect for a cause that will secure your sympathy.
• If you pay, your money will not only be lost, but much-needed donations will have been diverted away from legitimate charities and causes.
• Protect yourself
  Online shopping scams – If you're buying gifts online, do your research to check if the seller is reputable, find out what protection the website offers against fraud, and only pay via a secure payment method – look for a web address starting with 'https' and a closed padlock symbol. If an item's price tag seems too good to be true, it probably is.
• Fake delivery scams – If you are in doubt about the authenticity of a parcel delivery notification, verify the sender by using their official contact details to contact them directly. Never use contact details provided by caller or sender – find them through an independent source such as a phone book or online search.
• Charity scams – If you have been approached to make a donation, first contact the charity directly. Since 3 December 2012 charities have been able to register with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) – visit the ACNC website for more information and to search the ACNC Register for a registered charity.

Report
See SCAMwatch's online auction and shopping scams and  charity scams sections, and radar on parcel delivery scams, for more information on how these scams work and how to avoid them.

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

You can also contact the ACNC on 13 ACNC (13 22 62) or email advice@acnc.gov.au if you have a concern about a registered charity.

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

SCAMwatch email alert: Watch out for fake flight itineraries landing in your inbox [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

Watch out for fake flight itineraries landing in your inbox

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Added: December 2012

SCAMwatch is warning travellers to watch out for scam emails with fake flight itineraries attached – these attachments may harbour malicious software.

Scammers masquerading as legitimate airline companies are sending these emails in an attempt to steal your passwords and other sensitive information. 

SCAMwatch urges jet-setters to think twice before opening any suspicious emails or attachments – if in doubt, contact the airline to verify or just press 'delete'.

How these scams work

• You receive an email that looks like it is from a reputable airline claiming that your itinerary is attached.
• The email and attachment may be dressed up to look like the real thing by using the actual airline's corporate colours, imagery and layout. However, on closer inspection the email address is not the same used by the airline and content may contain spelling errors.
• If you open the attachment, your computer may be infected by malware.

How to protect yourself

• If you get an email like this but haven't booked any travel, just press delete.
• Before opening any emails and attachments, think twice and look for any signs that they might be fake such as odd email addresses or spelling mistakes.
• If you're not sure whether an email is a scam, verify the sender by using their official contact details to contact them directly. Never use contact details provided by the caller – find them through an independent source such as a phone book or online search.
• Always keep your computer security up-to-date with anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and a good firewall – only buy software from a reputable source.
• If you have opened something that you think might be suspicious, consider getting your computer scanned and changing passwords. 

Report

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

More information

You can see a warning from Jetstar about scammers impersonating the airline.

See SCAMwatch's online scams section for more information on malware and other scams that target you on the internet.

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 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 Gulf Country, Northwest, Central West, Central Highlands and Coalfields, Channel Country, Maranoa and Warrego, Darling Downs and Granite Belt, Southeast Coast and parts of the Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders and Wide Bay and Burnett districts. Issued at 8:25am EST on Wednesday the 5th of December 2012 for today. Dry and gusty winds are expected to cause the following conditions today: Severe Fire Danger in the Gulf Country, Northwest, Central West, Channel Country, Maranoa and Warrego, Darling Downs and Granite Belt, Southeast Coast, inland parts of the Wide Bay and Burnett and southwest parts of the Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders districts. Temperatures generally between 35 to 40 degrees, relative humidity down to 5% and winds to 35 to 40km/hr are expected. Locations which may be affected include Burketown, Mount Isa, Richmond, Longreach, Emerald, Windorah, Charleville, Dalby, Toowoomba, Ipswich and Brisbane. For more information on Fire Bans and how to Prepare. Act. Survive. Visit the Rural Fire Service web page at http://www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au or call the Hotline on 1800 020 440. For the latest weather information, listen to your local radio station or visit the Bureau of Meteorology web page at http://www.bom.gov.au or call 1300-659-219 for recorded Land and Weather Warnings. Total Fire Bans | Fire Danger Rating Maps NEW: EWN Alerts Map | EWN Discussion Forum | EWN Mobile Apps

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QLD Fire Weather Warning

QLD Fire Weather Warning Source: Bureau of Meteorology for the Channel Country, Maranoa and Warrego, Central West, North West, Darling Downs and Granite Belt, Southeast Coast districts and parts of the Northern Goldfields and Upper Flinders, Central Highlands and Coalfields, Capricornia and Wide Bay and Burnett districts. Issued at 3:16pm EST on Monday the 3rd of December 2012 for the remainder of Today and Tuesday. Hot to very hot, dry and gusty south to southwest winds are expected to cause the following conditions for the remainder of today: Severe Fire Danger south and west of a line Mt Isa to Winton to Roma to Goondiwindi. Temperatures up to 45 degrees, relative humidity down to 5% and winds to 40 km/hr are expected. Locations likely to be affected include Birdsville, Thargomindah, Windorah, Quilpie, Boulia, Longreach, Winton, Cunnamulla, Charleville, Roma and St George. Hot, dry and gusty south to southwest winds southwest of a line from Camooweal to Richmond to Moranbah to Goondiwindi are expected to cause the following conditions on Tuesday: Severe Fire Danger. Temperatures up to 43 degrees, relative humidity down to 5% and winds to 40 km/hr are expected. Locations likely to be affected include Mount Isa, Winton, Longreach, Richmond, Birdsville, Thargomindah, Windorah, Quilpie, Boulia, Cunnamulla, Charleville, Roma, St George and Goondiwindi. Hot to very hot, dry and gusty northwest to southwest winds are expected to cause the following conditions on Tuesday: Extreme Fire Danger over inland areas southeast of Texas to Chinchilla to Nambour. Temperatures up to 41 degrees, relative humidity down to 10% and winds to 45 km/hr are expected. Locations likely to be affected include Stanthorpe, Toowoomba, Dalby, Ipswich, Kilcoy, Boonah and Beaudesert. Severe Fire Danger elsewhere south and east of a line from Goondiwindi to Moranbah to Biloela to Noosa Heads. Temperatures up to 39 degrees, relative humidity down to 10% and winds to 40 km/hr are expected. Locations likely to be affected include Emerald, Biloela, Gayndah, Kingaroy, Gympie, Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast. For more information on Fire Bans and how to Prepare. Act. Survive. Visit the Rural Fire Service web page at http://www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au or call the Hotline on 1800 020 440. For the latest weather information, listen to your local radio station or visit the Bureau of Meteorology web page at http://www.bom.gov.au or call 1300-659-219 for recorded Land and Weather Warnings. Total Fire Bans | Fire Danger Rating Maps NEW: EWN Alerts Map | EWN Discussion Forum | EWN Mobile Apps

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SCAMwatch email alert: Beware of scam surveys and offers misusing household names [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

Beware of scam surveys and offers misusing household names

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Added: November 2012

SCAMwatch is warning people to beware of online scams – surveys, emails and social-media posts – offering fake gift vouchers or other bogus inducements in return for disclosing credit card and other personal information.

While many online surveys are legitimate and may be backed by some reward, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and Woolworths have received an increased number of complaints about possible scams misusing the Woolworths name and logo, going under such titles as 'Customer Satisfaction Survey to get $50'.

Scams such as these often ask people to provide credit card or other personal details, which criminals can use to commit identity theft and other fraud.

Woolworths is advising people that all its official competitions are listed at www.woolworths.com.au on its Promotions and Competitions page.

How these scams work

• These scams abuse the brand names and logos of well-known companies and products to make them look legitimate.
• As with many legitimate offers and online posts, you might be asked to complete a survey and/ or pass on an offer to others before you can claim a voucher or other inducement or enter a competition. But the scams will take your valuable information and give you only disappointment in return – products will never arrive or vouchers will be fakes that retailers won't honour.
• Recent scams have related to supermarkets, coffee shops, smart phones and tablets, including offers featured on Facebook.

Protect yourself

• Be very wary when, for example, filling in surveys linked from social networking sites – being asked to provide such detailed information as Medicare numbers or credit-card security codes should ring alarm bells.
• You should check whenever you can whether offers are legitimate, even ones passed on from people you know. If the offers are represented as coming directly from a particular retailer, check they are listed on the retailers' official websites – or call a business' official customer-service line. Don't click on links or call numbers listed in the offers – they can link to fake websites and even fake call centres.
• If you think you have provided your account details to a scammer, contact your 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

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 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: Large Hail, Damaging Winds

QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Large Hail, Damaging Winds Source: Bureau of Meteorology For people in the Wide Bay and Burnett, Darling Downs and Granite Belt, Southeast Coast and parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Capricornia and Maranoa and Warrego Forecast Districts. Issued at 11:35 am Sunday, 18 November 2012. 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, Toowoomba, Dalby, Maroochydore, Dalby, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Kingaroy, Hervey Bay waters, Biloela, 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. NEW: EWN Alerts Map | EWN Discussion Forum | EWN Mobile Apps

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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 Wide Bay and Burnett, Darling Downs and Granite Belt, Southeast Coast and parts of the Central Highlands and Coalfields, Capricornia and Maranoa and Warrego Forecast Districts. Issued at 11:35 am Sunday, 18 November 2012. 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, Toowoomba, Dalby, Maroochydore, Dalby, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Kingaroy, Hervey Bay waters, Biloela, 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. NEW: EWN Alerts Map | EWN Discussion Forum | EWN Mobile Apps

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