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Warning: We've had reports of scammers using ACCC phone numbers to contact members of the public. They do this to steal personal information. The ACCC does not make calls from our reception numbers. If you receive a call claiming to be from the ACCC asking for personal information, do not provide this information and hang up. This issue is being investigated.

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5 results, showing 1 to 5

Government impersonation scams on the rise

…News There has been an increase in scams reported during tax time such as text messages claiming … greater. There has been an increase in scams reported during tax time such as text messages claiming … , iTunes vouches or bank transfers.” In a phishing scam, victims will receive an email or text message…
21 Jul 2020

Consumers with a disability – be on guard against scammers trying to take advantage of you

…Scammers often send emails, text messages or letters to people claiming that they have won cash or a prize in a fake overseas lottery or a competition – one that they never entered in the first place. If you respond to a notification that you’ve won a lottery or competition that you never entered, you … consumers with a disability include fraudsters claiming: to represent a government authority  or well-known … . Scammers employ a range of delivery methods to contact you such as a phone call, text message, email…
18 Aug 2014
Image showing two phones and a loveheart, with the text 'You meet a scammer on a dating app'.

Scam alert: Online dating and investment scams

…The scammer contacts you through a dating app, website or social media. After a few messages, the scammer asks you to start messaging on Google Hangouts, WeChat, Line or WhatsApp. They call or text you a lot, saying they love you or feel very close to you. This is sometimes called ‘love bombing … about online dating and investment scams. Text includes description of how the scam works, copied under … Someone you don't know contacts you through a dating app, website or social media. They show interest in developing a relationship with you, and follow this up with frequent messages expressing strong feelings for you. When you've built trust with them, they tell you about an investment scheme or platform…
12 Feb 2024
Line of love hearts with a broken love heart in the middle

Have a heart-to-heart with loved ones to help stop scams this Valentine's Day

… relationship with a man who claimed to be an overseas doctor needing money for medical equipment.” “Distressing … Scammers will claim to be financially stable but ask for money. … If they met through a mobile app, they may suggest moving the relationship away to a more private channel such as phone, email, or instant messaging such as WhatsApp. By moving onto other platforms, logs of their interactions are not available to law enforcement and the platform won’t be able to delete their profile.…
13 Feb 2023
Woman with credit card looks at computer screen sadly

ACCC calls for united front as scammers steal over $3bn from Australians

… organisations to scam texts that appear in the same conversation thread as genuine messages. This means now more … to phishing scams in the past year, such as “Hi Mum” and Toll/Linkt text scams, which skyrocketed by 469 per … scammers reaching consumers by disrupting phone calls, SMS, email, social media messaging or other ways…
17 Apr 2023
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