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.…

…Scam alert: Fake celebrity online investment scams … News Scammers are creating lifelike impersonations (or 'deepfakes') of celebrities and public figures, who appear to be promoting 'quantum' or 'AI' online trading platforms. The people involved have not created these ads, the trading platforms are scams and you lose any money you 'invest'. … platform called 'Immediate Edge' and encourages others to do the same. The article is a scam article. Scammers create ads and fake news articles to get you to believe the celebrities actually use these scam…

…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.…

…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 robbed Australians of more than $2 billion last year … News Australians lost a record amount to scams in 2021, despite government, law enforcement, and the private sector disrupting more scam activity than ever before. Australians lost a record amount of more than $2 billion to scams in 2021, despite government, law enforcement, and the private sector … The ACCC-run Scamwatch aims to raise awareness about how to recognise, avoid and report scams. It also shares intelligence and works with government, law enforcement and the private sector to disrupt and prevent scams. Reference to combined reports or losses include data from Scamwatch, ReportCyber, other…

…Payment redirection scams cost Australian businesses $227 million last year … News Australian businesses lost $227 million to payment redirection scams in 2021, a 77 per cent increase compared to 2020, the ACCC’s latest Targeting Scams report reveals. Australian businesses lost $227 million to payment redirection scams in 2021, a 77 per cent increase compared to 2020, the ACCC’s … Top 5 scams by losses as reported by businesses in 2021 (Scamwatch data only)…

…Medical directory scams targeting doctors' surgeries/clinics … documents. Always read the entire document, especially any fine print, before signing. Directory entry scams or unauthorised advertising scams are common. The purpose of these scams is to bill unsuspecting … real scams and example scams so you can see what scams look like, how they work and how to avoid them…