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…

…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:…

…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.…

…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!…

…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…