News and alerts

…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…

…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…

…Beware of phone scams – 2011 Targeting Scams report … News SCAMwatch is continuing to warn Australians to beware of scams delivered by phone with the ACCC receiving over 43,000 reports of scams perpetrated this way in 2011. SCAMwatch is continuing to warn Australians to beware of scams delivered by phone with the ACCC receiving over 43,000 reports of … Targeting Scams report snapshot:…

…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…

…Scratchie card scams continue … News SCAMwatch continues to receive reports about scams involving scratchie cards received in the mail. SCAMwatch continues to receive reports about scams involving scratchie cards received in the mail. At the beginning of 2010, SCAMwatch warned consumers about the Euphoria Travelling Group and its mail … You can report scams to the ACCC via the report a scam page on SCAMwatch.…

…Casino telemarketing scams … News SCAMwatch warns casino telemarketing scams are still active If you receive a call from overseas asking you to participate in a survey about casinos or gambling or inviting you to a party or … consumers about these types of scams—stay one step ahead of scammers by being aware of their tactics…

…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…