News and alerts

…Australian businesses hit hard by email scams … News Australian businesses reported more than 5800 scams with losses exceeding $7.2 million in 2018, a 53 per cent increase compared to 2017, according to the ACCC’s Targeting scams report. Australian businesses reported more than 5800 scams with losses exceeding $7.2 million in 2018, a 53 per cent increase…

…Business losses to scams up 23 per cent … ACCC’s latest Targeting scams report – a 23 per cent increase compared to 2016. Scammers swindled nearly $4.7 million from Australian businesses in 2017 according to the ACCC’s latest Targeting scams report … businesses about scams in 2017. Businesses that fell victim to scammers lost an average of nearly $11,000…

…Scam alert: Fake business invoice scams … News Scammers pretending to be real businesses are sending fake invoices to customers, with scam bank account details. These may seem to come from a business you expect an invoice from - but scammers have stolen their identity to steal your money. … of these scams, but they can affect any type of business.  Scammers make these invoices look real by copying business logos and ABNs, making the scams harder to spot.…

…Businesses lost an average of $10,000 to scams in 2016 … News Nearly 6000 businesses reported being targeted by scams in 2016 according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s Targeting Scams report, with losses totalling around $3.8 million, an increase of almost 31 per cent. Nearly 6000 businesses reported being targeted by scams in 2016 according … – these scams trick a victim into downloading a virus that infects computer systems and prevents user access until payment is made to unlock it. In 2016, reports indicate that there was an increase in ransomware emails to businesses, purportedly from legitimate companies such as Australia Post or a utility…

…Scam alert: HSBC bank impersonation … News The National-Anti Scam Centre is warning HSBC customers to watch out for scam texts that appear to be from their bank. … Scammers are targeting HSBC customers with scam calls and texts that appear to be from their bank.…

…Beware – energy bill scams on the rise … News SCAMwatch is warning consumers to be on the lookout for energy billing scams currently doing the rounds. SCAMwatch is warning consumers to be on the lookout for energy billing scams currently doing the rounds. A new phishing email pretending to be from reputable energy companies is currently … You can report scams to the ACCC via the report a scam page on SCAMwatch.…

…Scams Awareness Week 2022 … News Scams Awareness Week 2022 takes place 7-11 November. This Scams Awareness Week we’re encouraging you to learn ways to identify scams and take the time to check whether an offer or contact is genuine before you act on it. Scams awareness week 2022 banner Banner saying 'How to spot a scam. Scams … The Scamwatch and ACCC websites contain a range of tools and resources about scams. Scamwatch report form : If you’ve come across a scam you can report it here. Scamwatch reporting statistics : Provides up-to-date statistics on scams reported by Australians. Targeting Scams Reports : Our yearly…

…Optus data breach scams … News Scamwatch is urgently warning Australians to be on the lookout for increased scam activity following the recent Optus data breach and to take steps to protect themselves.…

…Beware of directory listing scams targeting small businesses … Always check offers are legitimate and offer a quality product/service before you sign up. Search the wording of the offer or the company name on the web as many scams can be identified this way. It … deal with. If not it may be a scam. Check first: many small business scams involve fake invoices for…

…Scams Awareness Week 2021 … News Scams Awareness Week 2021 takes place 8-12 November. This Scams Awareness Week we’re encouraging everyone to start a conversation about scams. Stop scams. Speak up. Banner saying "The more we talk about scams, the less power they have." Stop scams. Speak up. Scams Awareness Week 2021 takes … Staying silent gives scammers more power. Let’s speak up and stop scams!…