News and alerts

…Gen Z the fastest growing victims of scams … News Australians under 25 lost over $5 million to scams in 2019 and reports made from this age group are increasing faster than older generations. Australians under 25 lost over $5 million to scams … scams reported by this age group is concerning,” ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said. “Young people may…

…Warning about tax scams … News Tax scams seem to be everywhere at the moment and Scamwatch is warning people not to engage with phone calls or emails they receive threatening arrest or jail over unpaid tax debts. Tax scams … emails they receive threatening arrest or jail over unpaid tax debts. Reports of these scams have jumped…

…Scam alert: Bulk email extortion scam … from previous public data breaches. Anyone receiving this scam email should know … How to spot the scam…

…Watch out for holiday season scams … News Scamwatch is warning people to be careful about being caught out by holiday season scams. Scamwatch is warning people to be careful about being caught out by holiday season scams. “Scammers will … personal information,” ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said. Here are three common holiday season scams…

…Threat and kidnap scams continue to target Chinese community … two alarming scams that involve extortion via fake kidnappings and threats of arrest. The ACCC’s Scamwatch service is warning the Chinese community in Australia to be wary about two alarming scams that … approximately 900 reports about scams targeting the Chinese community, with losses totalling over $1.5 million…

…Indigenous Australians lose $1.7 million to scams … News Indigenous Australians who fell victim to scams in 2017 lost an average of nearly $6500 according to the ACCC’s latest Targeting Scams report. Indigenous Australians who fell victim to scams in 2017 lost an average of nearly $6500 according to the ACCC’s latest  Targeting scams report . The…

…Threat and kidnap scams target Chinese community … News Scamwatch is warning the Chinese community in Australia to be wary about two frightening scams … frightening scams targeting them that involve threats of arrest, and extortion via fake kidnappings. In 2018, Scamwatch has received nearly 1700 reports about these scams, with losses totalling $1.15 million. Losses…

…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…

…National Anti-Scam Centre … News In May 2023, the government funded the ACCC to set up a new National Anti-Scam Centre. The centre will bring together experts from government and the private sector to tackle harmful scams. In May 2023, the government funded the ACCC to set up a new National Anti-Scam Centre over 3 years. Its…

…Beware of immigration scams … News SCAMwatch and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship are warning people who have migrated to Australia or are currently temporary visa holders to be cautious of immigration-related scams … Australia or are currently temporary visa holders to be cautious of immigration-related scams. These scams…