News and alerts

…Computer virus scams now targeting smartphone and tablet users … You can report scams to the ACCC via the report a scam page on SCAMwatch. … Check out previous radars issued on the computer virus scam: October 2012: Computer cold call virus scam – scammers outsmarted! August 2011: Computer remote access scammers now masquerading as Telstra - new twist March 2011: New twist on computer error message/virus scams: joint warning July 2010…

…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!…

…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 messages about missed calls, voicemails or deliveries. We’ve received over 16,000 reports of these scams…

…Patrick Swayze and other celebrity scams—be on guard online … . SCAMwatch recently warned about internet scams that lure consumers in by attaching themselves to public figures such as Pink, Jennifer Hawkins and Michael Jackson . These scams show that scammers are ruthless … purchasing products such as tickets online, you need to be on the lookout for potential scams. Err on the…

…Scams target you! Protect your computer... … News Scams target you - Protect your computer is the latest message from the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce. Your computer can be attacked by phishing scams, spam, dodgy 'pop-ups' or malware – and you may not even realise it! Scams target you - Protect your computer is the latest message from the … Use computer protection software, including anti-virus software, to prevent viruses and other malware (malicious software) from exposing you to scams that may result in personal and sensitive information being sent from your computer without your knowledge. Make sure you regularly download and install…

…Scammers capitalise on pandemic as Australians lose record $851 million to scams … News Australians lost over $851 million to scams in 2020, a record amount, as scammers took advantage of the pandemic to con unsuspecting people, according to the ACCC’s latest Targeting Scams report released today. Australians lost over $851 million to scams in 2020, a record amount, as scammers took … The 2020 Targeting Scams report includes data from Scamwatch, ReportCyber, other government agencies, and 10 banks and financial intermediaries.  Highest scam losses reported to banks and government…

…Scams cost Australians over $630 million … News Australians lost over $634 million to scams in 2019, according to the latest figures in the ACCC’s Targeting Scams report released today. Australians lost over $634 million to scams in 2019, according to the latest figures in the ACCC’s Targeting Scams report released today. There were more than … The 2019 Targeting Scams report includes data from Scamwatch, ACORN (ceased operating 30 Jun 2019), ReportCyber (commenced 1 Jul 2019), ACMA, ATO, Services Australia, WA Scamnet, Commonwealth Bank, NAB, Westpac and ANZ.…

…"Your computer is infected" fake anti-virus pop-up alert scams … Explore SCAMwatch to find out more about scams that commonly target Australians.…

…Threat based scams targeting young people and Chinese community … News Australians have lost over $8.8 million to threat based scams so far this year, and young people are reporting the highest losses. Australians have lost over $8.8 million to threat based scams so … with authority, to scam victims. These scams are mainly phone-based and impersonate various officials…

… ACCC began reporting on scam activity. According to the ACCC’s ninth annual Targeting scams report … losses to scams have totalled more than $300 million and demonstrates the increasing impact of scams on Australians. Investment scams topped the losses at $64 million, an increase of more than 8 per cent. Dating…