News and alerts

…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: Jobs and 'side hustle' scams … News People looking for work are being warned to watch out for scam job or 'side hustle' ads on social media. … Scammers are using fake job ads to attract job seekers looking for extra income. Of all scam types, jobs and employment scams grew the fastest in 2023, costing Australians $24.7 million. This has almost tripled losses from these scams in 2022. These scams target people wanting to earn extra money through…

…Scam alert: job scams on the rise … or recruiters offering work. The National Anti-Scam Centre is warning Australian job seekers to be on the lookout for employment-related scams. So far this year, scammers have stolen $19.6 million from people … reports show these scams are impacting students looking for part-time work, culturally and linguistically…

…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…

…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…

…Business opportunity scams … , find out how to protect yourself from all sorts of scams on SCAMwatch. … If you have received information about a business opportunity that sounds like these scams, or you have responded to an offer and you now suspect it is a scam, you can report a scam  through SCAMwatch. You should also spread the word to your friends, family and colleagues to protect them.…

…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…

…Put the freeze on Winter Olympics holiday job scams … Explore the SCAMwatch site to learn more about job/employment scams and how to protect yourself .…