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.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is warning online shoppers to be wary of scammers masquerading as legitimate online retailers, often selling well-known brands at too-good-to-be-true prices.
SCAMwatch and Qantas are warning people about automated calls from scammers posing as Qantas staff claiming that they’ve won a credit towards their next holiday.
SCAMwatch and Stay Smart Online are warning consumers interested in finding out more about the recent disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 to be on guard when opening video footage about this event, as scammers are sending links infected with malware.
SCAMwatch is warning travellers to be cautious if they are approached on holidays by strangers offering travel club memberships which seem too good to be true.
SCAMwatch and Victoria Police are warning Australians to beware of email death threats from scammers claiming to be ‘hitmen’ hired to kill the email recipient unless they send cash.
