The ACCC is a member of the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce, which was formed in March 2005 and comprises 19 government regulatory agencies and departments with responsibility for consumer protection regarding frauds and scams. The ACFT also has a range of community, non-government and private sector organisations as partners in the effort to increase the level of scam awareness in the community.
The purpose of the ACFT is for the government members to work together to:
enhance the Australian and New Zealand governments' enforcement activity against frauds and scams
run an annual coordinated information campaign for consumers—the Scams Awareness Fortnight in February and March (timed to coincide with Global Consumer Fraud Prevention Month)
involve the private sector and community groups in the information campaign and encourage them to share information they may have on scams and fraud
generate greater interest in research on consumer frauds and scams.
ACFT subgroups
The ACFT operates in three focused subgroups:
Communications and Media subgroup—creates the overall message and program of coordinated outreach by the members via its annual consumer education and awareness campaign and other ACFT activities.
‘Stop It’ subgroup—develops innovative and coordinated approaches to a) preventing fraud and scam messages from reaching consumers whether these originate by mail, phone or email, and b) where scams and frauds do get through, preventing the money paid by consumers from leaving Australia.
Research subgroup—raises the profile of consumer fraud in terms of developing, commissioning and conducting research into the problem.
Important notice: The ACCC is not responsible for the quality, validity or accuracy of information published on these websites. Links to other websites are provided for convenience and do not constitute endorsement of material on those sites or any associated information, product or service.
The work of the ACFT is greatly assisted by a growing number of government, business and community group partners.
ACFT business partners include leading banks, financial institutions, credit card providers, insurers and telecommunications groups. Community groups throughout Australia also play a vital role in helping the ACFT raise consumer awareness of scams.
ACFT partners all recognise the seriousness of consumer fraud in Australasia and are committed to disseminating the ACFT's message to consumers during the scams awareness month.