Scam awareness

Phishing scams are attempts by scammers to trick you into giving out personal information such as your bank account numbers, passwords and credit card numbers.

Warning signs:

• You receive an email, text or phone call claiming to be from a bank, telecommunications provider or other business you regularly deal with, asking you to update or verify your details.
• The email or text message does not address you by your proper name, and may contain typing errors and grammatical mistakes.
• The website address does not look like the address you usually use and is requesting details the legitimate site does not normally ask for.
• You notice new icons on your computer screen, or your computer is not as fast as it normally is.

Do not click on any links or open attachments from emails claiming to be from your bank or another trusted organisation and asking you to update or verify your details – just press delete.

In the wake of a disaster, the Aussie spirit and neighbourly kindness that sees many people offer a helping hand to their local community, can often become a target for scammers.

In amongst all the legitimate charities and organisations providing financial aid, there are many scammers posing as non-for-profit groups, seeking to take advantage of individuals’ heightened generosity.

Warning signs:

• If you've never heard of the charity before, or if it sounds like a charity you know, but there is a slight change to the name. 
• If they do not provide you with a receipt or there is no charity name on the receipt.
• They pressure you into donating or make you feel guilty.

Genuine charities are registered – you can check an organisation's credentials on the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) website.

Approach a charity directly if you wish to donate, rather than donating to a person who has contacted you through phone, text or email.

While they might be hard to spot initially, scammers will go to great lengths to build what feels like the romance of a lifetime, showering you with loving words, sharing ‘personal information’ and even sending you gifts over the course of months.

Warning signs:

• Their messages are often poorly written, vague and escalate quickly from introduction to love.
• Once they've gained your trust, they will ask you for money, gifts or your banking/credit card details.
• Sometimes the scammer will send you items such as laptops or mobile phones or even transfer you money with the intention of having you send these on somewhere else on behalf of them as a way of covering their criminal activity.

If you think you've been scammed, let us know immediately.

Selling items

If you are advertising your items for sale through print or an online market place, beware of scammers posing as genuine buyers. Scammers may make up stories such as needing your help to pay for upfront costs like transportation or insurance. They may promise you reimbursement for these costs.

Warning signs:

• The potential buyer is willing to purchase your item without having viewed it in person – even if you are selling an expensive item such as a car.

Buying items

Scammers will pose as genuine sellers and post fake ads often using pictures and other details copied from another seller’s ad. The scammer will advertise the item at a low price, much lower than comparable items advertised, to lure you in.

When you show interest in the item, the scammer may claim that they are travelling or have moved and that someone else will deliver the goods on their behalf following receipt of payment. However, one you have paid, you may receive a fake receipt and you’ll no longer be able to contact the seller.

Warning signs:

• The seller requests that you pay through international money transfers, cheques or direct bank transfers.

Investment scams involve promises of big payouts, quick money or guaranteed returns. Always be suspicious of any investment opportunities that promise a high return with little or no risk.

Warning signs:

• You receive a call, email or message on social media from someone offering unsolicited advice on investments.
• You are contacted repeatedly and are told that you need to act quickly and invest or you will miss out.

Do not let anyone pressure you into making decisions about your money or investments and never commit to any investment on the spot.

Jobs and employment scams trick you into handing over your money by offering you a ‘guaranteed’ way to make fast money or a high-paying job for little effort.

Warning signs:

• You come across an advertisement or receive an email, letter or phone call offering you a guaranteed income or job.
• The message asks you to provide personal details or a fee for more information about the job or start-up materials.
• The message does not have a street address, only a post office box or an email address.

Be suspicious of unsolicited 'work from home' opportunities or job offers, particularly those that offer a 'guaranteed income' or require you to pay an upfront fee.

False billing scams request you or your business to pay fake invoices for directory listings, advertising, domain name renewals or office supplies that you did not order. These scams take advantage of the fact the person handling the administrative duties for the business may not know whether any advertising or promotional activities have actually been requested.

Warning signs:

• You receive an invoice for goods or services you did not order or a call from somebody claiming to be your regular supplier, offering goods that you have ordered before.
• You receive an invoice or phone call from a business directory or other publication you’ve never heard of, ‘confirming’ your entry or advertisement. You recognise the listing as one you put in a different publication.
• The caller claims that the government requires you to be listed in their register.

Keep written records of your authorisations for advertising or directory entries. If you receive an invoice or a telephone call, you can go back to your records to check it.