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SCAMwatch email alert: Beware – energy bill scams on the rise [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Added: May 2014
How the scam works
Protect yourself
Report
More information
SCAMwatch email alert: Automated scam calls claiming to be from Qantas with bogus holiday win [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Added: April 2014
SCAMwatch and Qantas are warning people about automated calls from scammers posing as Qantas staff claiming that they've won a credit towards their next holiday. If you receive this call, hang up.
Reports have been received from both consumers and businesses about these scam calls, where the recipient picks up the phone and hears a recorded message that claims to be from Qantas. The message will claim that because the person has recently booked a flight with Qantas, they have won a 'travel prize' or 'credit points' – typically $999 – towards their next holiday.
In order to redeem the credit, the person is directed to press '1'. At this point, the person is put directly through to a scammer, who will then state that in order to be eligible for the prize, the person has to ask a few questions first. The scammer may ask whether the person is aged over 30, whether they have a valid credit card, and finally ask for their credit card details so that the prize can be processed.
If you hand over your credit card details, you will find that money has been taken rather than deposited from your bank account.
These scammers appear to be persistent, with some consumers and businesses reporting that they have received several of these calls in one day. Unfortunately scammers pay no heed to private phone numbers or numbers listed on the Do Not Call Register, so if you have a number like this, you can still expect to receive this call.
Qantas advises that their consultants will always call customers directly to discuss their bookings and do not use an automated phone system when contacting customers proactively.
Qantas also advises that you or your business may not even be a customer of Qantas and still receive this scam call.
Scammers often pose as well-known and reputable businesses to try and convince you that they're the real deal – if you receive an automated call out of the blue claiming to be from Qantas, just hang up.
How this scam works
- You receive a phone call out of the blue to your mobile, home or work phone and, when you answer, it goes straight to an automated message claiming to be from Qantas.
- If you have recently flown or booked with Qantas, the recorded message may sound like it's the real deal as the caller thanks you for choosing Qantas and claims that you have been chosen to receive $999 in a 'travel prize', 'credit points' or even 'frequent flyer points' towards your next trip.
- The automated message will direct you to press '1' to find out more information.
- If you dial '1', you will be put directly through to someone claiming to be a representative of Qantas. The caller may congratulate you on your win before stating that you must answer a series of questions in order to qualify for the prize. The caller will typically ask whether you are aged over 30, have a valid credit card, and then finally ask for your credit card details in order to process the prize.
- If you hand over your credit card details, you will find that money has been taken rather than deposited from your bank account.
Note: you may not even be a customer of Qantas and still receive this scam call.
Protect yourself
- If you receive an automated phone call out of the blue claiming to be from Qantas, just hang up.
- 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. You can contact the official Qantas Contact Centre on 13 13 13.
- 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.
- Never give your personal, credit card or online account details over the phone unless you made the call and the phone number came from a trusted 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.
More information
Qantas has posted a statement about this activity on its News Room, 'Scam phone calls purporting to be from Qantas'.
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.
ACCC statement regarding its websites
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ACCC statement regarding its websites Dear subscriber The ACCC became aware on 11 April 2014 of a breach of personal data collected from some of its websites. The affected websites are Recalls Australia, Product Safety Australia, SCAMwatch and the ACCC Public Registers website. The email addresses of some subscribers to the ACCC’s information alert services were inadvertently made accessible online. They were not indexed by search engines or linked from a web page on our sites. They could only be found if specific URLs were tried. The ACCC resolved this issue as soon as it became of aware of it. As you have subscribed to an alert on one of the affected websites, we are informing you that your email address may have been publicly available from our website if an intentional attempt was made to access it. We sincerely apologise to you and any other affected users. The ACCC takes the issue of privacy, including any breaches, very seriously. We are currently investigating how this issue occurred and have reported the breach to the Office of Australian Information Commissioner. Scammers may send emails purporting to be from the ACCC in attempts to gain personal or financial information. 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 need to contact us regarding this email, please call the ACCC Infocentre on 1300 302 502. Yours sincerely Adrian Walkden Chief Information Officer This email address is not monitored - do not reply to this email. | ||
IMPORTANT: This email from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), and any attachments to it, contains information that is confidential and may also be the subject of legal, professional or other privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not review, copy, disseminate, disclose to others or take action in reliance on, any material contained within this email. If you have received this email in error, please let the ACCC know by reply email to the sender informing them of the mistake and delete all copies from your computer system. For the purposes of the Spam Act 2003, this email is authorised by the ACCC www.accc.gov.au
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SCAMwatch email alert: Scammers pretending to be from Telstra Technical Support continue cold-calling A [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
March 2014: SCAMwatch and Telstra are warning consumers to hang up the phone if they receive a call out of the blue from someone claiming there is a problem with their internet connection or computer.
Recent months have seen a surge in reports of scammers calling people at home and raising a false alarm that they are at risk of their internet being disconnected immediately, as their computer has been hacked or infected with malware and is threatening Telstra's internet infrastructure. The caller claims that they are able to fix the problem on the spot, however a fee for this service will need to be paid and the person will also need to download software that will allow the caller remote access to their computer.
If the person resists or questions the scammer, they up the ante. Scammers have reportedly threatened to sue people for putting Telstra's infrastructure at risk. When the person has requested proof that they are a Telstra rep, scammers have given out a fake number for Telstra which, when the consumer calls, puts them back on the line with the scammer. These scammers are also well-versed at creating a sense of urgency to incite fear and anxiety that your device has been compromised and must be fixed immediately.
If you provide your credit card details and give remote access to your computer, the scammer may not only take more than the stated 'fee', but also infect your computer to gain access to your personal information and commit other acts of fraud.
Scammers often pose as well-known and reputable businesses to try and convince you that they're the real deal, with Telstra a popular target. Scammers pretending to be from Telstra have been known to switch consumers to another service provider that the consumer did not knowingly agree to. Scammers don't just fish for your details over the phone; they also send phishing emails pretending to be from Telstra or BigPond® to try to get you to hand over your account details, or to click on a link or open a document infected with malware. The 'Yellow Pages' directory scam has also targeted Australian small businesses, with scammers deceiving them to sign up to an online business directory service that falsely claims to be affiliated with Sensis and Telstra.
Watch out – scammers know how to press your buttons when they get you on the phone. If you receive a call out of the blue from someone claiming to represent Telstra and they ask for access to your computer, just hang up.
How this scam works
- You receive a phone call out of the blue from someone claiming to be a representative of Telstra or Telstra BigPond®. They may sound like the real deal, claiming to be from 'Telstra Technical Support' and using technical jargon.
- The caller claims that you need to take immediate action to avoid your internet connection being terminated or disconnected, as your computer has been hacked or infected with malware and is threatening Telstra's internet infrastructure.
- In order to fix the problem, the caller will claim that you will need to pay them a service fee (typically around $10) to have a specialist look at your computer. They will also ask you to download a software program so that they can gain remote access to your computer and run a scan.
- The scammer may initially sound professional and knowledgeable, however they will be very persistent and may become abusive if you don't do what they ask. They may even threaten to sue you for putting Telstra's internet infrastructure at risk.
- If you provide your financial details or give remote access, you might find a lot more money taken out of your bank account than you agreed to, with some victims reporting losing over $5,000 from multiple withdrawals. Your computer may also be infected with malicious software, giving scammers access to your personal details stored on the device (including bank account information).
- Note: you don't have to be a Telstra customer to be called by these scammers. You don't even have to own a computer!
Protect yourself
- If you receive a phone call out of the blue from someone claiming to be a representative of Telstra and their call relates to a problem with your internet connection, just hang up.
- 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.
- 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.
- Don't let scammers press your buttons – scammers use detailed scripts to convince you that they're the real deal and create a high pressure situation to make a decision on the spot.
- 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.
- Never give your personal, credit card or online account details over the phone unless you made the call and the phone number came from a trusted source.
- Never give a stranger remote access to your computer, even if they claim to be from a reputable business.
- If you think your computer's security has been compromised, use your security software to run a virus check. If you still have doubts, contact your anti-virus software provider or a computer specialist.
- 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
SCAMwatch has previously issued radars about scammers pretending to be affiliated with Telstra:
- August 2013: Small businesses beware – 'Yellow Pages' directory scam strikes again
- August 2011: Computer remote access scammers now masquerading as Telstra - new twist
- September 2010: Telstra warns of email scam targeting BigPond customers.
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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SCAMwatch email alert: Scammers using videos of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 to spread malware [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
March 2014: SCAMwatch is warning consumers interested in finding out more about the recent disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 to be on guard when opening video footage about this event, as scammers are sending links infected with malware.
Scammers have been sending emails and social media messages at random with links purporting to be videos on the disappearance of the Malaysian Airlines flight. The link can take you to a website that appears to be a legitimate website (such as the BBC), however it is a fake. If you click on the link, your computer may be infected and scammers may be able to gain remote access.
Scammers are known to take advantage of major news stories or events where there is a high level of public interest. SCAMwatch has recently issued alerts on scammers targeting the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the 100th anniversary Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli in 2015, and the 2013 Boston marathon bomb tragedy. Scammers will use a range of tools to trick people under the guise of topical stories or events, such as spam emails with malicious content, selling fake tickets to an event in high demand, or seeking donations to fake charities.
Don't let scammers taking advantage of tragedies, take advantage of you. If you want to find out more information about Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370, use a reliable news source rather than an unknown web link.
This information is based on an alert issued by Stay Smart Online, an Australian Government initiative that provides a free alert service on recent online threats and how they can be managed.
How this scam works
- You receive an email or social media message out of the blue that claims to contain links to video on the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370. The email or social media message may include text such as: 'Malaysia Plane (MH-370) Has Been Found Near Bermuda Triangle. BBC News: Recent Video Released!'.
- If you click on the link, you may be taken to a website that looks like the real deal, complete with logos and branding of legitimate news sites.
- In order to view the video, you will be asked to install some software (such as a 'codec') to be able to access the video format. If you download the software, your computer will be infected with malware.
- Alternatively, the scammers may have set up the malware to be downloaded simply when you click on the link and view the footage.
- In another spin, the site that you are directed to may contain infected ads, which if you click on could cause malware to install on your computer.
- If a scammer has infected your computer with malware, they may be able to access your personal information stored on the computer, including financial details.
Protect yourself
- If you receive an email or social media message out of the blue from a stranger claiming to have information or news on Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370, do not click on any links or open attachments – just press 'delete'.
- If you want to access footage or information about major or breaking news, use a reliable news source rather than an unknown web link – there are many reputable online news sites where you can safely access credible information.
- 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 your computer's security has been compromised, use your security software to run a virus check. If you still have doubts, contact your anti-virus software provider or a computer specialist.
Report
You can report scams to the ACCC via the SCAMwatch report a scam page or by calling 1300 795 995.
You can also report spam to the ACMA.
More information
Visit the Stay Smart Online website to access the SSO Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 video malware alert. You can also sign up to their free Stay Smart Online Alert Service, and find out more information on avoiding online scams and managing spam.
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 let scammers kick goals in the lead up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
Added: March 2014
SCAMwatch and FIFA are warning soccer fans seeking to buy tickets to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil to beware of websites selling fake tickets.
Fans wishing to purchase tickets should be aware that:
- Official and guaranteed tickets can only be bought via www.FIFA.com – no other websites or parties are authorised to sell tickets.
- There are no legitimate tickets being sold as part of a travel package, as no official tour operator has been authorised by FIFA.
- Tickets purchased from unauthorised sources may be counterfeit or invalid, or may not be received at all. They are also likely to be more expensive than legitimate tickets.
If you have purchased a ticket online and already received it, chances are it's a fake ticket as FIFA will not be issuing printed tickets before April 2014. Check the legitimacy of any source of tickets by contacting MATCH, the official agent appointed by FIFA to sell and distribute tickets, at enforcement@match-ag.com.
Soccer fans, stay on the ball - if you come across a website selling 'tickets' to the event, or a travel package that includes a 'guaranteed' place, don't be fooled – the only way to get a ticket to the 2014 FIFA World Cup is by purchasing it via www.FIFA.com.
How the scam works
- You come across a website selling guaranteed 2014 FIFA World Cup tickets or ticket-inclusive travel packages.
- The website appears legitimate and professional. It may use the official "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil" logo and trademarks (or their look-alikes) to lure you in to thinking the site is official and that it's an authorised seller. It may also offer tickets and packages to other sporting events and concerts.
- In order to purchase the tickets or ticket-inclusive travel packages, you will need to pay a substantial price; for some ticket-inclusive packages, the asking price may be as much as $30,000 per person.
- These websites do not have legitimate tickets to distribute. If you buy a ticket outside the official FIFA website, you may receive invalid tickets or you may not receive tickets at all. You could find yourself on arrival at the World Cup in Brazil unable to gain entry to watch the game.
Protect yourself
- Only buy tickets from a legitimate source – official and guaranteed tickets can only be bought via www.FIFA.com.
- Think twice before you buy – get across the details on how to buy an official ticket on the FIFA website. Search online to find out what other people's experiences have been. If you have any doubts about the legitimacy of any tickets being sold, contact FIFA.
- Be wary of travel packages that 'guarantee' tickets – no official tour operator has been authorised by FIFA to sell packages with tickets.
- If you are promised printed tickets before April 2014, walk away – genuine tickets to the FIFA World Cup are not printed before this date.
- Remember – these days, it's easy for a scammer to create a professional looking website and to use official logos and trademarks (or their look-a-likes).
- 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.
You can also report suspicious sellers to MATCH by email at enforcement@match-ag.com.
More information
SCAMwatch has previously issued a radar in the lead up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup:
- June 2010: Looking for 2010 FIFA World Cup tickets?
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 be fooled by a fake franchise [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
February 2014: SCAMwatch is warning people thinking about buying a franchise or small business to beware of exciting new franchise opportunities that may actually be scams.
Franchising scams can come in the form of a pyramid scheme dressed up as a reputable franchise. These scams may appear to be slick and professional, with a sophisticated website, marketing material and buzz-words. The scammers may also promote the franchise as a golden opportunity for investors to join a 'proven' business that requires minimum effort, experience or skill with instant rewards.
A legitimate franchisor will provide a prospective franchisee with a disclosure document 14 days before entering into an agreement or handing over any money (as is required by law under the Franchising Code of Conduct). This document should contain important information about the franchise, including the payments to be made, the contact details of existing and former franchisees, and inform franchisees of their cooling off rights.
The tell-tale sign of a pyramid selling scheme is that they recruit people rather than selling a legitimate product or service. In a recent example of such a business opportunity it is difficult to identify the true nature of the business and pin-point what is actually being bought or sold.
In the end all pyramid schemes collapse, leaving participants with empty pockets and potentially in hot water too as these schemes are illegal in Australia.
If you are interested in joining a franchise, make sure you know what you're getting into – pyramid selling schemes are often highly sophisticated and hard to tell apart from genuine offers. If you sign up to a fake franchise, you will lose your money.
How these scams work
- You come across a franchise system or small business opportunity advertised online. You may come across the website directly or alternatively through an online selling platform.
- The website appears to be the real deal, with a slick and professional design. It may contain information that appears plausible for a genuine business site such as a business model, mission statement, industry statistics, diagrams, support services for franchisees such as mentoring and training programs, and free marketing tools. It may also use buzz-words such as 'risk-free', 'not-to-be-missed', 'high return', 'unique' and 'innovative' to entice you to join.
- Despite all the information provided, if you actually look for what the franchise is selling, it is hard to put your finger on exactly what is being bought or sold.
- In order to participate, you have to pay significant upfront costs to join the franchise.
- Once you sign up, you will be required to recruit other 'franchisees' or 'franchise partners' to join the scheme. You find that you will not only never get the returns that were promised, but you will also have to continue to approach and sign people up.
- If you sign up prospective franchisees, including family and friends, you will not only be involving them in the scheme, but also breaking the law.
- In the end, all pyramid schemes collapse and you will lose your money.
Protect yourself
- Seek full information – ensure that you receive a disclosure document from the business before handing over any money. If you are not provided with such a document, walk away.
- Make sure the business you are dealing with is the real deal – ask around, search online and contact existing and former franchisees. Don't just rely on information from the business but seek out independent sources to verify the information. If you have any doubts, don't sign up.
- Understand what you are purchasing – ask yourself, what is the service being sold? Do not enter into an agreement if you do not know what is being offered.
- Do not succumb to high-pressure or buy-it-now sales tactics – take your time to understand what you are agreeing to.
- Minimum effort does not reap maximum rewards – there are no get-rich-quick schemes and the only people who make money are the scammers.
- If you believe that an offer is a pyramid scheme, do not take part – it is very likely that you will lose your money and you could be breaking the law. Participating in a pyramid selling scheme is illegal in Australia.
- Remember – these days, it's easy for a scammer to create a professional looking website and use marketing jargon.
Information about what to look for when choosing a franchise and what should be contained in a disclosure document is available in the ACCC's franchisee manual.
Report
You can report scams 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 pyramid schemes section on SCAMwatch.
For more information about your rights and obligations as a franchisee see the ACCC's online franchising information.
If you are interested in buying into a franchise, check out the ACCC-Griffith University free online pre-entry program, which will give you invaluable advice about what you need to know before signing up to any offer, and what you need to ask. Genuine franchise systems will be able to answer these questions; most scammers will not.
To find out more about your rights and obligations as a small business under Australia's competition and consumer laws, contact the ACCC Small Business Helpline on 1300 302 021.
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: Looking for love online? Don’t get scammed into a broken heart and empty wallet [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
February 2014: This Valentine's Day, SCAMwatch is warning Australians looking for a romantic connection online to beware of scammers seeking to steal their heart and money.
Scammers will go to great lengths to court their targets and trick them into thinking it's a genuine relationship. They often approach victims through legitimate dating websites or online forums, and then move the communication off the platform and away from any safeguards in place by the site provider, where they can manipulate victims into handing over money. Scammers may also ask to chat via webcam, secretly film the interaction, then blackmail victims into handing over money in exchange for not sharing the footage with family and friends. They may even offer to meet victims in person, and will either not turn up, or worse put the person in a dangerous situation that can have tragic consequences.
Scammers will do anything to gain their victim's confidence and trust. They will invest months and even years grooming victims into believing that the connection is real. They may hide behind a fake profile of an attractive person, whose image has been taken straight from the internet. They may even seem to know all about the target's interests and hobbies as they have researched the person online or befriended them through an online forum.
Scammers are also expert at pushing people's emotional buttons. They may profess their love, send gifts, make promises and propose grand plans for the future – anything to strengthen the connection. Once their victim's defences are lowered, the scammer will spin an elaborate tale of woe about how they need financial help with a crisis, such as being ill or stranded. If the victim pays, the scammer will continue to ask for money to help them out of other situations. Scammers often request that the money be sent via wire transfer as it's almost impossible to trace and rare to recover money sent this way.
If you are looking for love online, don't let a scammer leave you broke and with a broken heart. If your online admirer asks for money, not matter what the reason is, ask yourself: 'Do I really know who I'm dealing with?'
How the scam works
- You meet someone online through a dating or social networking website whom you seem to just 'connect' with.
- The person may have an appealing profile, claim to have similar likes and dislikes or have gone through similar experiences.
- Your online admirer will soon ask you to communicate through a private channel such as via email or webcam.
- After you have established trust and rapport, they will ask you for money to help cover costs associated with illness, injury, a family crisis or travel to see them.
- Alternatively, your admirer will secretly film a webcam chat between you and them, and then try to blackmail you into handing over money in exchange for the footage being kept private.
- Regardless of the approach, the scammer will typically ask you to send them the money via wire transfer.
- If you send them money, they will continue to ask for money to get out of other problems or to withhold the footage. Amounts requested may initially be small but tend to increase over time.
- If you send money to a scammer – especially via a wire transfer – it is almost certainly gone forever. Just as importantly, your heart may be broken and trust shattered.
Protect yourself
- Keep your personal details personal: Never share personal, banking or credit card information or photos with someone you don't know and trust – especially photos or webcam of a private nature –scammers have been known to use this material to blackmail victims.
- Watch out: If an online admirer asks to communicate with you outside the dating website, such as through a private email address or over the phone, be very wary – scammers want you away from any safeguards that are in place on the site.
- Search: Use the Google 'search by image' tool to check the authenticity of any photos provided by someone you met online as scammers often use fake photos they find online.
- Think twice: Never send money to someone you have met online and cease contact with anyone who asks. Beware especially of any requests to send money via money order, wire transfer or international funds transfer – it's rare to recover money sent this way.
- Avoid: Scammers may request to meet in person, sometimes overseas. This is potentially a life-threatening risk. If you do decide to meet, choose a public place, make sure you tell your friends and family where you are going, and put arrangements in place with them to ensure your safety.
- Report: If you think you have provided your financial details to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately. If you think you met a scammer through an online dating service, let the site operator know.
Report
You can report scams to the ACCC via the report a scam page on SCAMwatch or by calling 1300 795 995.
More information
SCAMwatch has issued several radars about romance scams, including the following in 2013:
- July 2013: Don't let your heart be blackmailed
- February 2013: Protect your wallet and your heart this Valentine's Day
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: 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
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.
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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/.
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If you no longer want to receive SCAMwatch email alerts, please unsubscribe on the SCAMwatch website.
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Southeast QLD Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Large Hail, Heavy Rain, Damaging Winds
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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
Added: January 2014
How the scam works
Protect yourself
Report
More information
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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