The 2008 Fraud Fortnight campaign runs from 24 February to 8 March 2008. The campaign aims to raise your awareness about the increasing dangers of scams and the steps that you can take to protect yourself.
Fraud Fortnight focuses on scams that seduce and deceive you by promising things like great prizes, true love or easy money.
During the campaign, we will offer you some crucial but simple precautions that will help you arm yourself against scammers and teach you how to protect your hard-earned money and your identity.
The campaign warns you not to respond to scams and encourages you to report scammers and fakes to SCAMwatch—the web portal for the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce (ACFT).
Government agencies, banks, businesses and community groups have joined together to participate in Fraud Fortnight and help the ACFT spread its message.
The campaign coincides with Global Consumer Fraud Prevention Month which aims to raise awareness of the dangers of fraud, while educating the public on how to recognize it, report it and stop it.
Protect yourself!
Don't let scammers steal your money and personal details – protect yourself. The ACFT offers these easy steps to help you to protect themselves:
AVOID rip offs. Treat all unsolicited promises and requests for your details carefully. Don’t respond to offers, deals or requests for your details. Stop. Take time to independently check the offer.
NEVER send money or give credit card, account or other personal details to anyone who makes unsolicited offers or requests for information.
DON’T rely on glowing testimonials: find solid evidence from independent sources (not those provided with the offer).
NEVER respond to out of the blue requests for your personal details.
ALWAYS type in the address of a website of a bank, business or authority - it’s safer.
NEVER click on a link provided in an unsolicited email as it will probably lead to a fake website designed to trap you.
NEVER use phone numbers provided with unsolicited requests or offers as it probably connects you to fakes who will try to trap you with lies.
ALWAYS look up phone numbers in an independent directory when you wish to check if a request or offer is genuine.
DESTROY old bills, records and expired cards – don’t just bin them.
CHECK your credit report at least once a year.
2008 Fraud Fortnight campaign publications
The following campaign publications are now available for you to download. You can also order free campaign publications by calling the ACCC Infocentre on 1300 795 995.
