The 2008 'Fraud Fortnight' campaign ran from 24 February to 8 March 2008. The campaign aimed to raise consumer awareness about the increasing dangers of scams and the steps that you can take to protect yourself.
Fraud Fortnight focused on scams that seduced and deceived through promises of great prizes, true love or easy money.
During the campaign, we offered some crucial but simple precautions to help you arm yourself against scammers and to protect your hard-earned money and your identity.
The campaign warned you not to respond to scams and encouraged 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 joined together to participate in Fraud Fortnight and help the ACFT spread its message.
The campaign coincided with Global Consumer Fraud Prevention Month, which aimed to raise awareness of the dangers of fraud.
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 and take time to independently check the offer.
Never send money or give credit card, account or other personal details to anyone making unsolicited offers or requests for information.
Don'trely on glowing testimonials—find solid evidence from independent sources (not those provided with the offer).
Neverrespond to out-of-the-blue requests for your personal details.
Alwaystype in the address of a website of a bank, business or authority—it’s safer.
Neverclick on a link provided in an unsolicited email because it will probably lead to a fake website designed to trap you.
Neveruse phone numbers provided with unsolicited requests or offers because they will probably connect you to scammers who will try to trap you with lies.
Alwayslook up phone numbers in an independent directory when you wish to check whether 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 available for you to download. You can also order free campaign publications by calling the ACCC Infocentre on 1300 795 995.
