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…

…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…

…Scams Awareness Week 2022 … News Scams Awareness Week 2022 takes place 7-11 November. This Scams Awareness Week we’re encouraging you to learn ways to identify scams and take the time to check whether an offer or contact is genuine before you act on it. Scams awareness week 2022 banner Banner saying 'How to spot a scam. Scams … The Scamwatch and ACCC websites contain a range of tools and resources about scams. Scamwatch report form : If you’ve come across a scam you can report it here. Scamwatch reporting statistics : Provides up-to-date statistics on scams reported by Australians. Targeting Scams Reports : Our yearly…

…Optus data breach scams … News Scamwatch is urgently warning Australians to be on the lookout for increased scam activity following the recent Optus data breach and to take steps to protect themselves.…

…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!…

…Customers warned to watch out for scams following Optus data breach … News Scamwatch is warning Optus customers to be on the look out for scams and take steps to secure their personal information following a cyber-attack. … : See our Optus data breach scams page for more information about the breach and how to protect yourself. Scamwatch is warning Optus customers to be on the look out for scams and take steps to secure…

…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…

…New twist on computer error message/virus scams: joint warning … about these scams which continue to plague consumers. Scammers, in a new twist, are making follow-up … The ACMA's media release - The ACMA targets computer virus telemarketers - 24 March 2011 ‘Scams beware’ on Microsoft Australia’s Government Affairs blog - GovTech or contact Microsoft Customer Service on 13 20 58. The ACMA’s consumer alert: Computer virus scam calls SCAMwatch radar July 2010…

…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…