Every year, thousands of Australians are targeted by scams, whether it be online, via phone, mail or even in person. Australian Community Media has compiled a list of current scams identified on sites such as scamwatch.gov.au, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's website dedicated to informing people about fraudulent and dishonest activities:
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Threats and extortion
- scammers use threats designed to frighten you into handing over your money, and can even include threats to your life.
- May call you and pressure you into paying immediately, threaten you with arrest, or say they will send the police to your house if you refuse.
- May send emails claiming you owe money for things like a speeding fine, tax office debt or unpaid bill.
- Scammers have been known to target vulnerable people, such as the elderly and newly arrived migrants.
- Will often impersonate government officials from agencies such as the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, the Department of Human Services or Centrelink, and the Australian Federal Police.
COVID-19 scams
The federal government's www.scamwatch.gov.au website has received more than a thousand coronavirus-related scam reports since the outbreak.
Common scams include phishing for personal information, online shopping, and superannuation scams.
If you have been scammed or have seen a scam, you can make a report on the Scamwatch website. Tips for avoiding COVID-19 scams include:
- Do not provide your personal, banking or superannuation details to strangers who have approached you.
- Stop and check, even when you are approached by what you think is a trusted organisation.
- Don't click on hyperlinks in text/social media messages or emails, even if it appears to come from a trusted source.
- Never respond to unsolicited messages and calls that ask for personal or financial details
