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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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11 results, showing 1 to 10

Won a new car in promotion you didn't enter?

… misused identity, SCAMwatch has heard reports that consumers around Australia are receiving emails or text messages claiming to be from a well known car manufacturer telling them they have won money or a new car. If you receive an email or text message telling you that you have won money or a prize in … suspicious or unsolicited emails or text messages (spam) even to unsubscribe – delete them. … Explore SCAMwatch to find out more about how to protect yourself against scams including lottery and sweepstake scams, unexpected 'prize' scams  and mobile phone scams . For information about spam (unwanted text messages and emails) visit the website of the Australian Communications and Media Authority…
28 Jan 2011

Beware of “voucher prize” scam text messages

…Beware of “voucher prize” scam text messages … News SCAMwatch is warning consumers not to respond to text messages which claim you have won a voucher SCAMwatch is warning consumers not to respond to text messages which claim you have won a voucher, when in fact you are entering into an expensive mobile premium SMS service. … You may receive a text message from an unknown number congratulating you on winning a voucher from a competition you supposedly entered into. This scam uses (without authority) brand names and logos of well-known companies and products in order to make the prize look legitimate. The voucher is for a high…
30 Jun 2012
a lady on a phone call looking concerned

Missed delivery, call or voicemail (Flubot) scams

…News Since August 2021, many Australians have been getting scam text messages about tracking … of these messages, do not click or tap on the link. Since August 2021, many Australians have been getting scam text … . These scams have also already been a problem overseas in 2021. The text messages ask you to tap on a link…
6 Oct 2021

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
Scams awareness week. Stop scams. Speak up.

Scams Awareness Week 2021

…Laura received a text message about having a missed call and clicked through a series of links to try and access the message. Nothing immediately apparent occurred but she later began receiving replies from unknown numbers via her 101 Telstra message service. Some of the voice messages said … checked her Telstra account and saw that there were over 5000 text messages from her number at one specific time. Laura immediately called Telstra technical staff and they advised her that she’d downloaded the flubot malware from clicking the links in the original message. They helped Laura reset her phone which … Joanna received a call from a scammer claiming to be police who told her she had sent a parcel to China that had been intercepted and illegal bank cards had been found in the parcel. The scammer told Joanna she had committed financial fraud and needed to send personal information, including…
8 Nov 2021

Grand Sands Casino fake prize SMS scam!

… scammers send text messages to advise consumers they have won ‘third prize’ in a bogus prize draw … with the following example text messages: Last notice: Your mobile phone No. has won the 3rd prize in … -90105706 The text messages appear to be sent by ‘Grand Sands Casino Investment’ (GSCI) (a casino or hotel…
20 Aug 2009

SMS windfall for scammers

… the numbers 856207. These details may change. Reports to SCAMwatch suggest that the text messages … News SCAMwatch is warning consumers to watch out for an unsolicited text message announcing an unexpected win. SCAMwatch has recently received complaints from consumers who have been sent unsolicited text … An unsolicited text message is sent to your mobile phone telling you that you have won an unexpected prize. The message asks you to respond with an email address where details of your win can be sent. The email will lead to requests for personal details including information about your bank accounts…
18 May 2009

Beware of phone scams – 2011 Targeting Scams report

…Text messages are also commonly used by scammers to send competition or prize scams. Scammers often try to snare many people with one SMS sent en masse - this is known as spamming. Scammers may request personal details or payments in scam SMS messages. If you respond, you could also be charged at premium … Be cautious if you are contacted by someone claiming to be from government or a well known company and they request personal details or up-front payments. If you are in doubt about the authenticity of a call, don’t commit to anything. Instead hang up and call the company or government department directly…
22 Mar 2012

Scammers using videos of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370 to spread malware

… infected with malware. Scammers have been sending emails and social media messages at random with links … You receive an email or social media message out of the blue that claims to contain links to video on the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370. The email or social media message may include text such as: ‘Malaysia Plane (MH-370) Has Been Found Near Bermuda Triangle. BBC News: Recent … If you receive an email or social media message out of the blue from a stranger claiming to have information or news on Malaysian Airlines Flight MH370, do not click on any links or open attachments – just press ‘delete’. If you want to access footage or information about major or breaking news, use…
20 Mar 2014

Beware of fake lottery and competition 'wins' on social networking platforms

… popular platforms to pedal these empty wins. Scammers have been sending messages through social media … If you receive a message on a social networking platform claiming that you have won a lottery or competition, ignore it – don’t respond, report it to the platform, and warn your friends and family. In these lotteries or competitions, the only winner is the scammer. … You receive a message on a social networking platform claiming that you have won a large amount of money in a lottery or competition operated or sponsored by the social networking site or another well-known business. The message may appear to come from someone within your network who you know personally…
13 Aug 2015

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