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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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10 results, showing 1 to 10
Woman's hands texting

Scam alert: Scammers impersonating banks in text messages, phone calls and emails

…Scam alert: Scammers impersonating banks in text messages, phone calls and emails … You may get a call, message or email from a scammer claiming to be from the bank and asking … News Criminals are calling, emailing or messaging people and pretending to be from their bank so that they can steal your money.…
18 Oct 2024

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
Screenshot of fake news item, showing newsreader with text below, reading 'Deposit $250 into your account and get a guaranteed withdrawal of $30,000 every month'

Scam alert: Fake celebrity online investment scams

… investment platforms. The platforms claim to use AI and other technologies like quantum computing to create … Screenshot of fake news item, showing newsreader with text below, reading 'Deposit $250 into your account and get a guaranteed withdrawal of $30,000 every month' Screenshot of scam AI online trading sign … - News item × Screenshot of fake news item, showing newsreader with text below, reading 'Deposit $250…
1 Mar 2024

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

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

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

Don’t book a scammer’s holiday

…You are searching for a holiday online and come across an amazing package that you decide to sign up for. Shortly afterwards, you receive a notification out of the blue by phone, text, email or post claiming that you have won a prize comprised of travel vouchers, often worth $2000 or $3000. Alternatively … In April the ACCC issued a SCAMwatch alert on a travel scam where scammers posing as Qantas staff claiming that they’ve won a credit towards their next holiday: Automated scam calls claiming to be from Qantas with bogus holiday win . Stay one step ahead of scammers – follow @SCAMwatch_gov on Twitter or…
17 Oct 2014
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