News & alerts

With 2015 marking the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign, the Australian and New Zealand governments have launched a ballot for attendance at Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli. SCAMwatch is warning consumers to be on the alert for scammers trying to take advantage of people who want to attend this historic commemoration.

SCAMwatch is warning consumers shopping online for Christmas to watch out for fake websites selling bogus gifts. Scammers set up sophisticated sites designed to trick you into thinking they’re the real deal, including using a ‘.com.au’ domain name and stolen Australian Business Number (ABN).

SCAMwatch and the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) are reminding people to beware of scammers pretending to represent a charity or not-for-profit organisation.

SCAMwatch is reminding people to beware of online scams – surveys, emails and social-media posts – offering fake gift vouchers or other bogus inducements in return for disclosing credit card and other personal information.

SCAMwatch and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship are warning people who have migrated to Australia or are currently temporary visa holders to be cautious of immigration-related scams.

SCAMwatch is warning consumers to be wary when making plans for a holiday escape this winter.

Looking for a furry friend? Watch out – scammers continue to use cute and cuddly canines to pull on people’s heart strings and get them to part with their money.

SCAMwatch is warning consumers to be alert to scammers looking to take advantage of the Boston marathon explosions with malware or donation scams.

The operators behind a scam targeting small businesses with false claims about advertising services for publications with a philanthropic slant have been ordered to pay $750,000 in penalties following court action by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

SCAMwatch is urging people to continue to be alert to a scareware scam where scammers posing as the Australian Federal Police (AFP) try to scare you into handing over money to regain control of your computer.