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What ‘psychological warfare’ tactics do scammers use, and how can you protect yourself?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/mike-johnstone-106590">Mike Johnstone</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edith-cowan-university-720">Edith Cowan University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/georgia-psaroulis-1513050">Georgia Psaroulis</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edith-cowan-university-720">Edith Cowan University</a> Not a day goes by without a headline <a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/qjvaym/people-share-worst-scam-stories">about a victim being scammed</a> and losing money. We are constantly warned about new scams and staying safe from cybercriminals. Scamwatch has <a href="https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/research-and-resources/tools-resources/online-resources/spot-the-scam-signs">no shortage of resources</a>, too. So why are people still getting scammed, and sometimes spectacularly so? Scammers use sophisticated psychological techniques. They exploit our deepest human vulnerabilities and bypass rational thought to tap into our emotional responses. This “<a href="https://www.thecut.com/article/amazon-scam-call-ftc-arrest-warrants.html">psychological warfare</a>” coerces victims into making impulsive decisions. Sometimes scammers spread their methods around many potential victims to see who is vulnerable. Other times, criminals focus on a specific person. Let’s unpack some of these psychological techniques, and how you can defend against them. <h2>1. Random phone calls</h2> Scammers start with small requests to establish a sense of commitment. After agreeing to these minor requests, we are more likely to comply with larger demands, driven by a desire to act consistently. The call won’t come from a number in your contacts or one you recognise, but the scammer may pretend to be someone you’ve engaged to work on your house, or perhaps one of your children using a friend’s phone to call you. If it is a scammer, maybe keeping you on the phone for a long time gives them an opportunity to find out things about you or people you know. They can use this info either immediately or at a later date. <h2>2. Creating a sense of urgency</h2> Scammers fabricate scenarios that require immediate action, like claiming a bank account is at risk of closure or an offer is about to expire. This tactic aims to prevent victims from assessing the situation logically or seeking advice, pressuring them into rushed decisions. The scammer creates an artificial situation in which you are frightened into doing something you wouldn’t ordinarily do. Scam calls <a href="https://theconversation.com/we-have-filed-a-case-under-your-name-beware-of-tax-scams-theyll-be-everywhere-this-eofy-162171">alleging to be from the Australian Tax Office</a> (ATO) are a great example. You have a debt to pay (apparently) and things will go badly if you don’t pay right now. Scammers play on your emotions to provoke reactions that cloud judgement. They may threaten legal trouble to instil fear, promise high investment returns to exploit greed, or share fabricated distressing stories to elicit sympathy and financial assistance. <h2>3. Building rapport with casual talk</h2> Through extended conversation, scammers build a psychological commitment to their scheme. No one gets very far by just demanding your password, but it’s natural to be friendly with people who are friendly towards us. After staying on the line for long periods of time, the victim also becomes cognitively fatigued. This not only makes the victim more open to suggestions, but also isolates them from friends or family who might recognise and counteract the scam. <h2>4. Help me to help you</h2> In this case, the scammer creates a situation where they help you to solve a real or imaginary problem (that they actually created). They work their “IT magic” and the problem goes away. Later, they ask you for something you wouldn’t normally do, and you do it because of the “social debt”: they helped you first. For example, a hacker might attack a corporate network, causing it to slow down. Then they call you, pretending to be from your organisation, perhaps as a recent hire not yet on the company’s contact list. They “help” you by turning off the attack, leaving you suitably grateful. Perhaps a week later, they call again and ask for sensitive information, such as the CEO’s password. You know company policy is to not divulge it, but the scammer will ask if you remember them (of course you do) and come up with an excuse for why they really need this password. The balance of the social debt says you will help them. <h2>5. Appealing to authority</h2> By posing as line managers, officials from government agencies, banks, or other authoritative bodies, scammers exploit our natural tendency to obey authority. Such scams operate at varying levels of sophistication. The simple version: your manager messages you with an urgent request to purchase some gift cards and send through their numbers. The complex version: your manager calls and asks to urgently transfer a large sum of money to an account you don’t recognise. You do this because <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/fraudsters-use-ai-to-mimic-ceos-voice-in-unusual-cybercrime-case-11567157402">it sounds exactly</a> like your manager on the phone – but the scammer <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2021/10/14/huge-bank-fraud-uses-deep-fake-voice-tech-to-steal-millions/?sh=1329b80e7559">is using a voice deepfake</a>. In a recent major case in Hong Kong, such a scam even involved a <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2024/02/04/asia/deepfake-cfo-scam-hong-kong-intl-hnk/index.html">deepfake video call</a>. This is deeply challenging because artificial intelligence tools, such as Microsoft’s VALL-E, can create <a href="https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2023/01/microsofts-new-ai-can-simulate-anyones-voice-with-3-seconds-of-audio/">a voice deepfake</a> using just three seconds of sampled audio from a real person. <h2>How can you defend against a scam?</h2> First and foremost, verify identity. Find another way to contact the person to verify who they are. For example, you can call a generic number for the business and ask to be connected. In the face of rampant voice deepfakes, it can be helpful to agree on a “safe word” with your family members. If they call from an unrecognised number and you don’t hear the safe word just hang up. Watch out for pressure tactics. If the conversation is moving too fast, remember that someone else’s problem is not yours to solve. Stop and run the problem past a colleague or family member for a sanity check. A legitimate business will have no problem with you doing this. Lastly, if you are not sure about even the slightest detail, the simplest thing is to hang up or not respond. If you really owe a tax debt, the ATO will write to you.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/223959/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/mike-johnstone-106590">Mike Johnstone</a>, Security Researcher, Associate Professor in Resilient Systems, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edith-cowan-university-720">Edith Cowan University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/georgia-psaroulis-1513050">Georgia Psaroulis</a>, Postdoctoral research fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/edith-cowan-university-720">Edith Cowan University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-psychological-warfare-tactics-do-scammers-use-and-how-can-you-protect-yourself-223959">original article</a>.

Money & Banking

How to protect yourself from cyber-scammers over the festive period

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rachael-medhurst-1408437">Rachael Medhurst</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-wales-1586">University of South Wales</a> The festive season is a time for joy, family and festive cheer. However, it’s also a prime target for cybercriminals. As online shopping ramps up, so does the risk of falling prey to cyber-attacks. That’s why it’s crucial to be extra vigilant about your <a href="https://blog.tctg.co.uk/12-cyber-security-tips-of-christmas">cybersecurity</a> during this time. Here are some essential tips to safeguard yourself and your data during the festive period: <h2>Phishing</h2> Phishing is when criminals use scam emails, text messages or phone calls to trick their victims. Their <a href="https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/phishing-scams">goal</a> is often to make you visit a certain website, which may download a virus on to your computer, or steal bank details or other personal data. This type of scam tends to <a href="https://www.egress.com/blog/phishing/holiday-phishing-scam-guide">increase</a> at this time due to the amount of people having bought or received new gadgets and technology. Look out for there being no direct reference to your name in any communications, with wording such as “Dear Sir/Madam” or other terms such as “valued customer” being used instead. Grammar and spelling mistakes are also often present. Be wary of any suspicious links or attachments within emails too, and don’t click them. It’s better to contact the company directly to check if the message is genuine. You can also <a href="https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/phishing-scams">report</a> suspicious messages and phishing scams to the government’s National Cyber Security Centre. <h2>Shopping safely online</h2> The convenience of online shopping is undeniable, especially during the festive season. However, it’s crucial to prioritise your security when buying online. Before entering your personal and financial information on any website, ensure it’s legitimate and secure. Look for the “https” in the address bar and a <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-vast-majority-of-us-have-no-idea-what-the-padlock-icon-on-our-internet-browser-is-and-its-putting-us-at-risk-216581">padlock</a> icon, which indicates a secure and encrypted connection. When creating passwords for online shopping accounts, use strong, unique combinations of letters, numbers and symbols. Avoid using the same password for multiple accounts, as a breach on one site could compromise all your others. As with shopping in the real world, be cautious when encountering offers that are significantly below usual prices or which make extravagant promises. Always conduct thorough research on the seller and product before making a purchase. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. And if you are out shopping in towns or city centres, there will often be a large number of public wifi options available to you. However, criminals can intercept the data that is transferred across such open and unsecured wifi. So, avoid using public wifi where possible, especially when conducting any financial transactions. <h2>Social media</h2> While social media platforms provide people with a means to keep in touch with family and friends over the festive period, they are often a goldmine for <a href="https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/how-to-spot-a-social-media-scam-aMtwF3u1XKGt">scams</a> and malware (software designed to disrupt, damage or gain unauthorised access to a computer). In the spirit of the festive season, people often share an abundance of personal information on social media, often without considering the potential consequences. This trove of data can make people vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Scammers can exploit this information to gain unauthorised access to social media accounts, steal personal information, or even commit identity theft. To protect yourself, be mindful of what you share. Be wary when interacting with posts and direct messages, especially if they contain suspicious links or attachments. Before clicking on anything, hover over the link to verify its destination. If it shows a website you don’t recognise or seems unrelated to the message, do not click on it. If you receive a message from someone you know but the content seems strange or out of character, contact them directly through a trusted channel to verify its authenticity. Likewise, be wary of messages containing urgent requests for money or personal information from businesses. Genuine organisations will never solicit sensitive details through social media. There are many buy and sell platforms available on social media. But while such platforms can be a great place to find a unique gift, it is also important to remember that not all sellers may be legitimate. So, it’s vital that you don’t share your bank details. If the seller sends a link to purchase the item, do not use it. When meeting to collect an item, it’s generally safer to use cash rather than transferring funds electronically. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aO858HyFbKI?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption>Advice for staying safe online.</figcaption></figure> <h2>Package delivery scams</h2> As well as being a time for giving and receiving gifts, the festive season is also ripe for cybercriminals to exploit the excitement surrounding <a href="https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/about-us1/media/press-releases/scams-linked-to-parcel-deliveries-come-top-in-2023/">package deliveries</a>. Scammers often pose as legitimate delivery companies, sending emails or text messages claiming that a delivery attempt was unsuccessful or requiring additional fees for processing, or even customs clearance. Typically, these messages contain links or phone numbers that, when clicked or called, lead to fake websites or automated phone systems designed to collect personal information or payments. To protect yourself, always verify the legitimacy of any delivery notifications you receive. Check the sender’s email address or phone number against the official contact information for the delivery company. If the information doesn’t match or seems suspicious, don’t click any links or provide personal details. Legitimate delivery companies will never ask for upfront payment or sensitive information through unsolicited messages or calls. Remember, cybercriminals are skilled at manipulating the festive spirit to their advantage. Stay vigilant, exercise caution, and don’t let your excitement for gifts and deliveries compromise your cybersecurity.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/218294/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rachael-medhurst-1408437">Rachael Medhurst</a>, Course Leader and Senior Lecturer in Cyber Security NCSA, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-wales-1586">University of South Wales</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-to-protect-yourself-from-cyber-scammers-over-the-festive-period-218294">original article</a>.

Money & Banking

How scammers use psychology to create some of the most convincing internet cons – and what to watch out for

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/stacey-wood-473147">Stacey Wood</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/scripps-college-2153">Scripps College</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/yaniv-hanoch-1341108">Yaniv Hanoch</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-southampton-1093">University of Southampton</a> <a href="https://www.experian.co.uk/blogs/latest-thinking/fraud-prevention/cybercrime-fraud-most-common-crime-uk/">Online fraud is today’s most common crime</a>. Victims are often told they are foolish for falling for it, but fraudsters use psychological mechanisms to infiltrate the defences of their targets, regardless of how intelligent they are. So it’s important to keep up with the latest scams and understand how they work. Recently, consumer protection magazine Which? <a href="https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/the-4-most-convincing-scams-weve-seen-in-2023-so-far-a7bRP9s0KJvG">identified some of the most convincing scams of 2023</a>. These scams all have one thing in common – they insidiously take advantage of people’s cognitive biases and psychological blind spots. They included “pig butchering” a way of fattening up victims with affection, the missing person scam which involves posting fake content on social media pages, the traditional PayPal scam, and a new scam called the “fake app alert” in which malware is hidden on apps that look legitimate. <h2>Pig butchering</h2> In our work as fraud psychology researchers we have noticed a trend towards hybrid scams, which combine different types of fraud. Hybrid scams often involve crypto investments and <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-fraud-crisis/202210/new-scams-committed-forced-trafficked-labor">sometimes use trafficked labour</a> In the US alone, <a href="https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/springfield/news/internet-crime-complaint-center-releases-2022-statistics">the FBI recently reported</a> that people lost US $3.3 billion (£2.6 billion) in 2023 to investment fraud. Pig butchering is a long-term deception. <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/05/02/pig-butchering-scammers-make-billions-convincing-victims-of-love.html">This type of scam</a> combines elements of <a href="https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/a-z-of-fraud/romance-scams">romance scams</a> with an investment con. The name comes from the strategy of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2023/may/22/dating-cons-and-dodgy-apps-among-most-common-scams-says-uk-watchdog">“fattening up” a victim with affection before slaughter</a>. It will usually begin with <a href="https://www.which.co.uk/policy-and-insight/article/pig-butchering-among-most-convincing-scams-of-2023-so-far-which-warns-aDRtr4I1UT1R">standard scam approach like a text</a>, social media message, or an introduction at a job board site. Victims may have their guard up at first. However, these scams can unfold over months, with the scammer slowly gaining the victims’ trust and initiating a romantic relationship all the while learning about their vulnerabilities. For example, details of their financial situation, job stresses, and dreams about the life they want. Romance scammers often saturate their targets with affection and almost constant contact. Pig butchering sometimes involves several trafficked people working as a team to create a single persona. Once the victim depends on the scammer for their emotional connection, the scammer introduces the idea of making an investment and uses fake crypto platforms to demonstrate returns. The scammers may use legitimate sounding cryptocoins and platforms. Victims can invest and “see” strong returns online. In reality, their money is going directly to the scammer. Once a victim transfers a substantial amount of money to the con artist, they are less likely to pull out. This phenomenon is known as the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0749597885900494">“sunk cost fallacy”</a>. Research has shown people are likely to carry on investing money, time and effort in activities they have already invested in and ignore signs the endeavour isn’t in their best interests. When the victim runs out of money or tries to withdraw funds, they are blocked. The victim is left with not only financial devastation, but also the loss of what they may imagine to be their most intimate partnership. They are often <a href="https://cloud-platform-e218f50a4812967ba1215eaecede923f.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/sites/6/2021/12/VC-Who-Suffers-Fraud-Report-1.pdf">too embarrassed to discuss the experience</a> with friends and family or to report to the police. <h2>PayPal scams</h2> Fake payment requests are a common attack that works by volume rather than playing the long game. Payment requests appear to come from a genuine PayPal address. Fraudulent messages typically begin with a generic greeting, an urgent request and a fake link. For example, Dear User: You’ve received a payment, or you have paid too much. Please click link below for details. Users are directed to a spoofed website with a legitimate sounding name such as www.paypal.com/SpecialOffers and asked to enter their account information and password. Both of us have received these scam requests – and even we found them difficult to discern from legitimate PayPal request emails. These scams work through mimicry and play on the human tendency to trust authority. Legitimate PayPal correspondence is usually automatic bot language, so it is not difficult to imitate. But remember, genuine messages from PayPal <a href="https://www.paypal.com/ca/for-you/account/security/fraud-dangers#:%7E:text=Any%20email%20from%20PayPal%20will,bank%20account%2C%20or%20credit%20card.">will use your first and last name</a>. <h2>The missing person scam</h2> This seems to be a new scam that exploits a person’s kindness. In the past, charity scams involved posing as charitable organisation responding to a <a href="https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2019/charity.html">recent, real calamity</a>. The new missing person scam is more sophisticated. The initial plea is a <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/tech/20875699/facebook-fake-missing-child-scam-warning/">fake missing person post</a> that generates likes and shares, increasing its credibility and exposure. Then the fraudster edits the content to create an investment scheme which now has the veneer of legitimacy. This scam may work because the initial consumers are unaware that the content is fraudulent, and there is no obvious request. In psychology, this type of persuasion is known as “<a href="https://thedecisionlab.com/reference-guide/psychology/social-proof">social proof</a>” – the tendency of individuals to follow and copy behaviour of others. <h2>Fake app alerts</h2> People post mobile apps, designed to steal users’ personal information, on the Google Play or Apple app store. The app often has a <a href="https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/crime/another-person-comes-forward-after-banking-app-scam-3584340">legitimate function</a>, which gives it a cover. Consumers unknowingly jeopardise their private information by downloading these apps which use malware to access additional information. Although there has been <a href="https://tech.co/news/fake-android-apps-delete">media coverage of Android security issues</a>, many users assume malware <a href="https://www.ben-evans.com/benedictevans/2020/8/18/app-stores">cannot bypass app store screening</a>. Again, this scam plays on people’s <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F0021-9010.92.3.639">trust in authority figures</a> to keep tjem safe. Discuss any investment opportunities with friends, family members or professionals. It’s much easier said than done, but exercising caution one of the best strategies to reduce the chance of becoming a fraud victim. Scammers count on people paying little to no attention to their emails or messages before clicking on them or providing valuable information. When it comes to scams, the devil is in the missing details.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/207759/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/stacey-wood-473147">Stacey Wood</a>, Professor of Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/scripps-college-2153">Scripps College</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/yaniv-hanoch-1341108">Yaniv Hanoch</a>, Professor in Decision Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-southampton-1093">University of Southampton</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-scammers-use-psychology-to-create-some-of-the-most-convincing-internet-cons-and-what-to-watch-out-for-207759">original article</a>.

Technology

Australians lost more than $3bn to scammers in 2022. Here are 5 emerging scams to look out for

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s latest <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/Targeting%20scams%202022.pdf">Targeting Scams report</a> indicates Australians reported more than A$3 billion lost to fraud in 2022. This is about a $1 billion increase on <a href="https://theconversation.com/australians-lost-2b-to-fraud-in-2021-this-figure-should-sound-alarm-bells-for-the-future-186459">reported losses from 2021</a>. Year upon year, we’re witnessing a rise in monetary losses to fraud. Behind these figures sit millions of Australians who experience a range of financial and non-financial <a href="https://www.aic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-05/29-1314-FinalReport.pdf">harms</a>. Here’s what we’ve learned from the latest report – and some advice on what to look out for in the year ahead. <h2>2022 at a glance</h2> Of the reported $3 billion lost, about half was stolen as part of investment schemes – more than double the $701 million figure from 2021. A desire to invest in cryptocurrency has driven up these losses, with potential investors inadvertently transferring money to offenders advertising a range of falsehoods. Remote access schemes – in which a scammer convinces the victim to grant them access to their computer – jumped into second place, with $229 million in reported losses. This was followed by payment redirection scams (also known as business email compromise fraud). Those who reported directly to Scamwatch lost an average of $19,654 – an increase of 54% from the $12,742 reported in 2021. The report also shows not all victims are targeted equally; people aged 65 years and older reported the highest losses across all demographics. Indigenous Australians, people with a disability, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds were also overrepresented. For the first time in many years, text message was the most popular method for offenders to target victims. And while bank transfers were the most popular way to send funds to offenders, <a href="https://theconversation.com/crypto-theft-is-on-the-rise-heres-how-the-crimes-are-committed-and-how-you-can-protect-yourself-176027">cryptocurrency transfers</a> continue to increase in popularity – rising 162.4% in one year. There was, however, a reduction in fraudulent phone calls. This is likely attributable to the introduction of <a href="https://www.commsalliance.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/72150/C661_2022.pdf">regulatory action</a> to block known scam calls. It’s a bright spot in an otherwise dark report. <h2>Trends to look out for</h2> The Targeting Scams report demonstrates the many ways offenders seek to defraud victims. On one hand, people are becoming more aware of common scam tactics. On the other, criminals are adjusting their methods to gain the upper hand. Here are five types of relatively lesser-known frauds everyone should be aware of. 1. Romance baiting Also known as “<a href="https://news.sophos.com/en-us/2021/05/12/fake-android-and-ios-apps-disguise-as-trading-and-cryptocurrency-apps/">cryptorom</a>” or “<a href="https://krebsonsecurity.com/2022/07/massive-losses-define-epidemic-of-pig-butchering/">pig butchering</a>”, this scam is a convergence of investment fraud and traditional romance fraud approaches. The offender first initiates a relationship with the victim – through dating apps, websites or social media platforms. Once they’ve established trust, they encourage the victim to put their money into an “investment” opportunity, often cryptocurrency. The victim will then unknowingly transfer their money to the offender, who is under a different guise. This kind of romance baiting raises fewer red flags than directly asking for money, and is targeting a younger demographic compared to more traditional romance fraud. Such deceptions are coded under investment schemes. This is likely driving the surge in investment scheme losses reported in recent years, while also accounting for a lack of substantial increases in romance fraud. 2. Online shopping fraud Offenders are skilled at creating fake websites and product advertisements that look genuine. Often these fake sites will have only subtle differences from their real counterparts. Consumers may not be able to tell the difference. Criminals can directly access funds through victims’ credit card details obtained on these sites. Online shopping fraud targets a range of demographics. It’s happening on stand-alone websites, social media platforms and online marketplaces. 3. Jobs and employment fraud <a href="https://research.qut.edu.au/centre-for-justice/wp-content/uploads/sites/304/2022/02/Briefing-Paper-Series-Feb2022-Issue21-17022022.pdf">Research</a> has indicated that working from home and flexible working conditions are strong indicators of a fraudulent job listing. But in a post-COVID world, flexibility at work is often a key criterion for job seekers, if not a deal-breaker. Offenders have noticed this, and are responding by posting attractive job advertisements that offer flexibility and high incomes. Victims submit their CVs and personal credentials (setting themselves up for identity crime), or may be required to pay upfront for training or materials costs for a job that doesn’t exist. Employment scams are targeting younger people in particular, as they’re more likely to have <a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/youth-unemployment-and-the-pandemic/">experienced job loss and insecurity</a> in the wake of the pandemic. 4. Recovery schemes Many fraud victims will want to take whatever action possible to recover lost funds. To exploit this, offenders will trade the details of victims with each other. They will then pose as authorities (often law enforcement, banks or private agencies) who are aware of the victim’s circumstances and promote their ability to regain the missing funds for a fee. In this way, victims who are desperate to recover losses are manipulated into paying even more money to offenders. 5. Remote access schemes Receiving a phone call from a computer technician advising of a problem with your computer and offering to fix it is a common experience for many. While this approach isn’t new, it made a strong resurgence in 2022 – particularly targeting older people. These scam calls often come through landlines and prey on people’s fear for the security of their bank details and other personal data. The fraudsters often invoke a sense of urgency about needing to rectify the “problem”, and victims are persuaded to give the offender remote access to their computer. The criminal can then access a wealth of personal information. They can gain direct entry to bank accounts to transfer funds, and can access identity credentials and other sensitive details to commit identity crime in the future. <h2>Change is needed to protect the public</h2> The threat of fraud will only increase alongside technological evolution. Experts are concerned about artificial intelligence tools such as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/mar/08/darktrace-warns-of-rise-in-ai-enhanced-scams-since-chatgpt-release">ChatGPT</a> and image and video generators giving cybercriminals yet another tool to add to their arsenal. The latest Scamwatch report is further evidence banks and financial institutions need to implement measures to help reduce fraud losses; among these, the checking of account names against BSB numbers for all transactions. The UK has a <a href="https://www.ukfinance.org.uk/policy-and-guidance/guidance/confirmation-payee">confirmation-of-payee</a> policy that does this. The government is attempting to address the continued surge in fraud losses through the revision of its <a href="https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about-us/our-portfolios/cyber-security/strategy/2023-2030-australian-cyber-security-strategy">cybersecurity strategy</a> and the potential establishment of a <a href="https://consultation.accc.gov.au/accc/national-anti-scams-centre-survey/">National Anti-Scams Centre</a>. These are both positive steps but it’s clear there’s a need for more work to be done. Image: Getty This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/australians-lost-more-than-3bn-to-scammers-in-2022-here-are-5-emerging-scams-to-look-out-for-204018" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Money & Banking

When will the scams end? Kochie issues yet another warning against scammers

David Kochie has warned people to beware of the latest scams using his identity in an attempt to steal their money. David "Kochie" Koch took to Instagram to share screenshots of various posts using his image and scandalous headlines to try and get people to click on the link. "Beware… 2023 and the financial scams keep on coming more than ever. The one on the left came up on @realestateaus as I was scrolling the site," he wrote. "They are scams trying to con you by illegally using my image and attributing fictitious comments to me". <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CnGHzV8SfZi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CnGHzV8SfZi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Kochie_Online (@kochie_online)</a> </div> </blockquote> This is not the first the time Kochie has warned people against scams, with ads popping up in the most unexpected apps. Last October, he posted an <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CjML6A1vzru/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=c93eb79a-9d48-4801-bcfb-2e2051402574" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Instagram post </a>captioned, "These scammers are getting out of control. My daughter’s friend in the UK was checking her weather app of all things… and up pops a scam ad. BEWARE". One follower commented that she saw a scam of him getting arrested but his image was "all blurred out". A few other followers shared their opinion on the ongoing problem. "Instagram and Facebook have the ability to stop all these scams! They seem to choose not to," one complained. "The problem is people still fall for these scams, I don't understand how that happens," another noted. Image Credit: Instagram <div class="post-action-bar-component-wrapper" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div class="post-actions-component" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; visibility: visible;"> <div class="upper-row" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 8px 16px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; height: 24px;"> <div class="right-box-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; display: flex; justify-content: flex-end; color: #323338; font-family: Roboto, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; background-color: #ffffff;"> <div class="post-editor-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Money & Banking

Kochie blasts online scammers using his identity

David "Kochie" Koch has blasted the government for an urgent response to the drastic rise in online scammers. Speaking with the Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones on Sunrise, Kochie was fired up when he shared that his identity has been used online to scam people "for years". Kochie predicted that Australians have lost over $4 billion to scammers in 2022 so far, with Jones saying that number is probably larger than first estimated. A furious Kochie responded, "What are you going to do about it? Because look, scammers have been using my photo and dodgy quotes from me to scam people for years." "They appear on Facebook, they appear on LinkedIn... and I can do nothing about it." Recalling a recent issue with a scammer, Kochie continued, "I had a bloke on the weekend contact me through Facebook, abusing me because he'd lost $30,000 on a scam that used my picture and dodgy comments from me." Assistant Treasurer Jones went on to say that the law currently doesn't allow for punishments of online media when it comes to scams, but the government is pushing to amend such legislation. He said, "We need to drag the law into the 21st century... Social media platforms need to be accountable for the material they are publishing." Kochie said that was "music to his ears", saying that "not only are people losing thousands of dollars, but it damages my reputation. I seem photo online saying things saying things I never said about bitcoin or whatever, and people lose money because they think it's me." Assistant Treasurer Jones assured Kochie that the government will be cracking down on these "economic criminals at the source", with Kochie again saying, "It's just heart-breaking for our viewers who get sucked in by these sorts of things." Image credits: Sunrise

Money & Banking

Scammers target flood victims in new low

In the aftermath of the floods that have devastated much of northern NSW and Queensland, those affected have something else to worry about - scammers. As Aussies begin to rebuild their homes and businesses, many are filing insurance claims. But, reports have begun to emerge of scammers trying to take advantage of flood victims by posing as insurance providers. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CavpKLzhHqI/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CavpKLzhHqI/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ali King MP (@aliforpumicestone)</a> </div> </blockquote> Ali King, the MP of Pumicestone in Queensland, said she received a text from an alleged scammer who claimed they would help with her insurance claim after the floods. The only problem was that she didn’t make a claim. “I got a text today from someone assigned to help me with my insurance claim. I don’t have an insurance claim,” she said on Instagram. Stephen Jones, the MP for Whitlam, also took to social media, using King’s tweet to warn those who may become victims of scammers on top of the floods. “We’ve seen the best of Australia in the huge outpouring of support for those affected by these devastating floods,” he wrote. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Thanks <a href="https://twitter.com/StephenJonesMP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StephenJonesMP</a> - we need better laws to deal with these grubs. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/auspol?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#auspol</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/QLDFloods2022?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#QLDFloods2022</a> <a href="https://t.co/FD2vjI9pxg">https://t.co/FD2vjI9pxg</a> — Ali King MP (@AliKingLabor) <a href="https://twitter.com/AliKingLabor/status/1501017186537975813?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2022</a></blockquote> “But scammers posing as insurance agents are looking to exploit people trying to pick up the pieces of their lives. “Look out for suspicious messages and phone calls. Share information with your communities so they know what to watch out for. “Working together we can stop these scammers from taking advantage of yet another tragedy.” A spokesperson for the ACC told <a href="https://7news.com.au/technology/scammers-posing-as-insurance-providers-target-flood-victims--c-5961535" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7News</a> that they were yet to see reports of the scams, but still urged Aussies to remain cautious. According to the ACCC, here are several things people can do to protect themselves from scams: <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Don’t click on hyperlinks in texts, social media messages or emails, even if it appears to come from a trusted source </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Never reply to unsolicited messages asking for personal or financial details </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> To determine if a contact is legitimate, look them up through an independent source such as a phone book or online search </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Never send money or personal information, such as credit card details, to anyone you don’t know or trust </li> </ul> If you believe you have fallen victim to a scam, contact your bank and consider lodging a complaint with the <a href="https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.afca.org.au%2F&data=04%7C01%7CSuWoolley%40seven.com.au%7Cc6008f2b54f04dd1bfb008d9df928a4c%7Cb359291241554399b790752c894d2935%7C0%7C0%7C637786642752505908%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0&sdata=34rdRdW3WEJ0j6pj0PBqVm4Ixxy91pCjrwwk7LQSoME%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australian Financial Complaints Authority</a> if you’re not satisfied with the bank’s response. Image: Getty Images

Technology

Family conned out of $1.1 million in house sale

Image: 9News A family from Sydney’s Northern Beaches are pleading with Australians to be aware of the kind of scam they fell victim to – with more than a million dollars at risk. The family have come close to losing their life savings and dream house in a sophisticated dupe. Cassie and Dennis Aviles transferred over $1.1 million to a person they fully believed was their solicitor in order to finalise the purchase of a new house. "It's basically everything," Ms Aviles said. "I've gone to the branch and transferred all of our money [into what] they are now telling us is in some kind of scam account and they're not sure if they're going to be able to retrieve it for us," she said. The couple, who have three young children, had sold their Beacon Hill property and were due to complete settlement on the new house. That's when they received what appeared to be a legitimate email from their solicitor, instructing them to transfer the huge sum of money. "[The email had] his name, his business name and all of the contracts we've signed for the new property were all attached," a distraught Ms Aviles told 9News. Ms Aviles alerted her solicitor that she'd paid the money into what she thought was the firm's Commonwealth Bank account. "He yelled into the phone, "Call the bank straight away!'." The Aviles' solicitor is just as baffled as the couple as to how the scammer obtained these details. "I've never even heard of anything like that," he said. "It's such a big amount, the bank should have more procedures in place." The story has a pretty satisfying ending though, as both banks involved have since been contacted and the funds frozen. The money is set to be returned to the Aviles family in the coming days.

Real Estate

Scammer caught out by off-duty cop

A Queensland police officer has been targeted by a scammer with a scheme that quickly backfired. The off-duty cop was sleeping after a night shift in Mackay, Queensland, when they were woken by a phone call. The caller claimed to be a member of the Australian Federal Police, telling the officer they had to pay an outstanding $8000 bill within 40 minutes or risk being arrested. To authenticate the call, the scammer provided a phone number to contact the AFP, which ended up being the phone number of the Mackay Police Station where the officer worked. “Scam calls of this nature are not new but it is worth noting for residents in the Mackay region that scam callers are quoting our Mackay Police Station phone number as their own,” Queensland Police said in a statement. “Don’t be fooled!” Police have also reminded people not to share personal information over the phone unless they definitely know who they are speaking to.

Retirement Income

Three tricks scammers use

With a recent uptick in potentially fraudulent texts, emails, and phone calls during the pandemic, the field of psychology has analysed these deceptions to reveal some simple tricks scammers use. 1. Using trusted logos and brands Fraudsters will often use familiar elements, such as the name or logo of well-known brands, to gain immediate trust from their victims. This will tend to be paired with a message that aims to elicit a strong emotional response to stop the victim from thinking logically. That could take the form of a promise of a reward or a potential threat that victims need to provide their personal or financial information to receive or avoid. 2. Posing as a professional In other more devious schemes, scammers pose as lawyers or doctors representing a family member or colleague needing financial help. “Often negative emotions are most effective,” said Cleotilde Gonzalez, a professor of decision science at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3. Setting a timer Finally, most scams will present their victims with a “time-limited” situation that requires an immediate response. This works to increase the chance that you will act before you engage your critical thinking skills to either not miss the opportunity or avoid potential threats and forget the possibility of deceit. A mix of all three Most scams rely on a mix of all three tricks to ensure success. Think of the calls claiming to come from the tax office, warning that you could face a fine if you don’t take action immediately, which usually involves sharing bank account details. With an immediate threat to deal with, it can be incredibly difficult to think clearly. “Your guard automatically drops in those situations and your emotions will override rational decision making,” said Garth Norris, a psychologist at Aberystwyth University in the UK. Though there isn’t a single fool-proof way of protecting ourselves from scams, both Norris and Gonzalez suggest not responding immediately to every single message we receive. “Just give yourself the time and think, is this real?” said Norris. And if the message includes a link, typing it out manually instead of clicking on it can help us spot any anomalies.

Retirement Income

Record losses to scammers during COVID-19 pandemic

Australians have lost a whopping $851 million to scams in 2020, according to new data released from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). Having analysed 444,000 reports from scam victims provided by banks, government agencies, and financial intermediaries, the ACCC found that investment scams and romance scams were two of the most financially damaging, costing Aussies $328 million and $131 million respectively. Payment redirection scams came a close third, resulting in $128 million of losses. ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said the most shocking fact was that the total figure only included the scams that were reported by victims. “Last year, scam victims reported the biggest losses we have seen, but worse, we expect the real losses will be even higher, as many people don’t report these scams,” Ms Rickard said. “Unfortunately scammers continue to become more sophisticated and last year used the COVID-19 pandemic to scam and take advantage of people from all walks of life during the crisis.” Kate Browne, personal finance expert at Finder, said scammers have also had greater opportunities to target Australians at their most vulnerable during the current financial crisis. “Fraudsters are increasingly seeking to take advantage of those experiencing uncertainty and financial instability,” she said. “Scammers are quick to capitalise on major events such as a pandemic so it’s important to be extra vigilant over the coming years.” In the ACCC’s analysis of the demographics of scam victims, it found those aged 65 or older accounted for 18 percent of reports and 23 percent of the losses. COVID-19 scams Since the start of the pandemic, Scamwatch has received over 6400 scam reports mentioning coronavirus with more than $9.8 million in reported losses. Some of these include vaccination scams, where scammers may try to obtain personal or financial information by claiming you will need to provide it in order to get the COVID-19 vaccine. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Be sure to book your <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a> vaccine through the Eligibility Checker on the Australian Government website. We will never ask you for bank, credit card or other payment details. Vaccination is FREE and voluntary. To book safely and securely, visit: <a href="https://t.co/62OZ8zWiK3">https://t.co/62OZ8zWiK3</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZZ8Cefv9Xm">pic.twitter.com/ZZ8Cefv9Xm</a> — NSW Health (@NSWHealth) <a href="https://twitter.com/NSWHealth/status/1410382464044789760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2021</a></blockquote> Some scammers include links in emails or texts they send, which can contain malware that could give your personal information to the scammer. Scamwatch recommends not clicking on any links in emails or texts you receive about the vaccine that you aren’t expecting. Scamwatch is also aware of other vaccine scams that include offers to pay money as an investment opportunity in the Pfizer vaccine, as well as fake surveys that offer a prize or early access to the vaccine when completed. In reality, these surveys are used to obtain your personal or financial information. Outside of Australia, scammers have been selling fake vaccine appointments, administering fake vaccines door-to-door for money, and asking for payment to ship vaccines to consumers, among other scams.

Retirement Income

"Be vigilant": New scam involving Woolworths

Scamwatch, run by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, has been warning Woolworths shoppers about an elaborate scam. The scammers pose as virtual Woolworths representatives and asks shoppers to submit personal information to a text message. The scam has shoppers worried as it is able to identify the name of the recipient correctly. The text message tells recipients that a receipt from one of their purchases in 2020 had "automatically entered" them into a draw and they are able to claim a prize. The text message asks users to click on a link. One shopper did enter the website and was addressed by “Suzy” and welcomed to the fake “Woolworths interactive prize universe”. “I’m your virtual guide Suzy and I’ll be helping you to claim the prize you won today,” a robot said. The fake website had similar features to the Woolworths chat feature, which has stung unassuming shoppers. A Facebook user warned the supermarket giant about the scam by posting to Woolworths' Facebook community. He said he received “an email claiming to come via the WOW online chat and to click “here” to receive your gift,” the user wrote. “Presumably a scam, so just wanted to make you aware.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> The latest scam impersonating Woolworths pretends to be a chat bot. Do not provide your address or credit card details. You will not receive the prize or gift voucher. <a href="https://t.co/EOldN6Q1Bv">pic.twitter.com/EOldN6Q1Bv</a> — Scamwatch_gov_au (@Scamwatch_gov) <a href="https://twitter.com/Scamwatch_gov/status/1348409129736409089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2021</a></blockquote> A Woolworths spokesperson refused to comment on how scammers were able to correctly identify the names of the text message recipients after being questioned by <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/technology/gadgets/mobile-phones/scammers-posing-as-woolworths-virtual-assistants-with-fake-prizes-ask-shoppers-for-personal-information/news-story/8afa666f9a36a8f691f765b6f17cabe1" target="_blank">NCA NewsWire.</a> “We'd leave it to the relevant authorities to comment on the specific nature of the scam,” the spokesperson said. The spokesperson also said that the scam is not involved with Woolworths. “This is not an authorised message from Woolworths and is not affiliated with us in any way,” a statement read. “As always, we encourage our customers to be vigilant of online and text phishing scams, which seek to imitate well-known brands to collect personal information. “We never ask our customers for their personal or banking details in unsolicited communications. We report scams to the ACCC‘s Scamwatch and regularly update our Scam Alerts page on our website to help keep customers secure online.”

Money & Banking

Lisa Wilkinson reveals legal battle she's been involved in for years

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> Lisa Wilkinson revealed she's been in a legal battle for decades as she's trying to take down online scammers. She discussed it during Monday night's episode of The Project, with online scams doubling in 2020. One scam uses fake celebrity endorsements on Google and Facebook that was "fleecing people out of huge sums of money", according to host Waleed Aly. The global scam involving cryptocurrency uses the faces of Aussie celebrities including Chris Hemsworth, Dick Smith and even Waleed Aly and Lisa Wilkinson. “At the moment we get one call an hour from people who have fallen for investment frauds that involve celebrity endorsements. They’re increasingly popular because there’s the power of being attracted to people seen as trustful and successful,” said Professor David Lacey. “When a user clicks on a scam ad, they’re taken to a fake news story about an earning big money with a link to “bit coin evolution”, “orbit coin revolution” or “trader”. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> A PSA from <a href="https://twitter.com/Lisa_Wilkinson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Lisa_Wilkinson</a> and Waleed: Please be mindful of scams circulating online claiming to be endorsed by them, among other celebrities - Bitcoin ads, moisturising ads - all of them are scams and it's heart breaking to see the people being affected by these awful set ups. <a href="https://t.co/ek519gpZn1">pic.twitter.com/ek519gpZn1</a> — The Project (@theprojecttv) <a href="https://twitter.com/theprojecttv/status/1338399539078852608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2020</a></blockquote> Waleed revealed he gets emails from people asking whether or not he's involved in a scam. Co-host Steve Price asked him if he takes being involved in the scam personally. “Yes. Because I’m now connected to this awful situation for these people irrevocably. It’s got nothing to do with me but it feels like it’s got everything to do with me,” Waleed said. It was here Lisa revealed her efforts to tackle the scams. “Instagram and Facebook are the worst offenders,” she began. “I’ve had lawyers on this for more than a decade, begging them to take it down, knowing the effect it was having on people. “If you ever see an ad that’s got my face attached to it and usually it’s some sort of moisturiser and they ask for your credit card, all they’re doing is they just want that number and [they] take a small amount and then they’ll be regularly taking amounts. “Please don’t do it. If you know anybody who thinks they’re getting a moisturiser that’s got my name attached to it, you don’t. It’s awful.” </div> </div> </div>

Legal

Lisa Curry slams "cruel" scammer trying to profit from daughter's death

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> Olympian Lisa Curry has slammed a scammer who was trying to profit from her daughter's tragic death. Curry and former husband Grant Kenny announced the death of their daughter on Monday evening after a long battle with an unspecified illness. One day later, a con artist had set up a Facebook page and was impersonating Curry's husband Mark Andrew Tabone. The page was used in an attempt to con people into donating to a fundraiser called the "Jaimi Kenny Fund". After hearing about the page, Curry posted a warning on her Facebook page alerting people that it was fake. “Some people,” she wrote on her Facebook page. “Someone has started a (Donorbox) on Mark Andrew Tabone’s FB page.... this is NOT US...” “It’s also sending friend requests.” “PLEASE DO NOT OPEN ANYTHING FROM THIS FAKE ACCOUNT,” she finished, in all caps. Jaimi, 33, passed away on Monday morning after following a long battle with an undisclosed illness. </div> </div> </div>

News

Man falls for scammer who posed as Olivia Newton-John

A 74-year-old man has admitted he was tricked into believing he had developed a wonderful connection with Australian actress Olivia Newton-John. Mr Martinetti is an award-winning cinematographer who had worked with the Aussie starlet on the film The Wilde Girls. “I met Olivia and it was like working with any other actor. My job is the same, I have to make them look good, which I did,” he told the program. “I got a nice picture with her and that’s what started this whole saga.” <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7836224/olivia-newton-john-scam-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/1cb9421fab0142f59c1d324cb696ffc6" /> He shared the picture to an Olivia Newton-John fan page and shortly after doing so, received a message from a person with the Facebook name Dame Olivia. “I almost fainted. I had been looking at this picture and thinking about her and here she comes into my life. I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “I think it was a moment of weakness. Emotionally I was weak and that’s how they got me.” As the two continued to talk, the person disguised as Ms Newton-John told him she was now divorced and was lonely. He said she also told him he was “handsome”. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7836223/olivia-newton-john-scam-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/26121f4510754c03b9b1e6e1f1b78cd6" /> “I started to feel sorry for her, I thought, ‘oh poor Olivia, she doesn’t deserve all this, she’s such a beautiful human being’,” he said. The senior man says he was told he must keep their conversations private, and would have to communicate on the app Telegram. The pair talked about meeting each other but the fake Dame Olivia told him that if he wanted them to meet, he would have to pay to cover the costs of her food and hotel room. “If you want to have a coffee with Olivia it costs $2000 and if you want to go to a restaurant it costs $5000. I thought ‘this is weird but it must be the way she earns money’,” Mr Martinetti said. “I was thinking I didn’t want to be disrespectful to her. Can you say ‘piss off’ to Olivia Newton-John? I don’t think so.” He arranged to meet her and ended up paying a whopping $13,000 into two separate Melbourne bank accounts. One belonged to a Mary Busuttil and the other a Thelma Fiasco. However, the meeting never occurred and Mr Martinetti was hit with the sudden realisation that he had been scammed. Mr Martinetti continued talking with the fake account, and eventually convinced them to give an address where he could send money to. He gave this information and the conversations to the Gold Coast Police but claims they weren’t interested in taking on the case. It was then Mr Martinetti partnered up with A Current Affair who tracked down the scammer by going to the address in Craigieburn, Melbourne, he had been given under the pretence of dropping off more money. That address turned out to be the home of Ms Busuttil who was a scam victim just like Mr Martinetti and had no idea of what had been tangled up in. “I think it is disgusting. I think that people that prey on other people based on trust and their feelings, to me they are the worst scum in the world,” Mr Martinetti said. The scammer behind the Dame Olivia Facebook profile eventually slipped up by accidentally switching the profile picture to their real photo. A man called Fidelis Ilechie, was listed as the owner of the account Mr Martinetti believed belonged to Olivia Newton-John. Image: Facebook. Mr Martinetti and Ms Busuttil have filed reports with Victoria and Queensland Police who are now investigating the incidents.

Money & Banking

Inside the mind of the online scammer

When Dame Helen Mirren revealed she had been the victim of a <a href="https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1199903/Dame-Helen-Mirren-latest-telephone-scam-warning-BBC-Radio-4-news">“humiliating” scam</a> on the press junket for her latest movie (in which, coincidentally, she also plays the victim of a hoax), it highlighted how everyone needs to be on their guard against fraudsters. Even members of the royal family are not immune, as was illustrated when Prince Charles was dragged into a <a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/prince-charles-hit-counterfeit-art-20799908">major counterfeit art scandal</a>. But what motives scammers, other than greed? I believe the answer can be gleaned by investigating why humans lie in the first place. Online fraudsters carry out a sophisticated and well-planned array of deceiving strategies to con people. These include <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-49825888">romance scams</a> in which the victim is enticed to contribute cash to foster a fake romantic relationship, fraudulent lotteries, prize draws, sweepstake games and auction sites. Substantial winnings are offered if the victim can send in some cash. The fraudsters are <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/better/lifestyle/scammers-have-upped-their-game-former-conman-shares-tips-protecting-ncna1057631">constantly building better mousetraps</a> in order to lure in increasingly sophisticated mice. For example, scams are being personalised to the victim by including references to familiar people or by targeting the victim’s occupation. What’s behind the deception? Scams are carried out using almost untraceable methods, so the criminals are often unknown, despite concerted efforts by law enforcement to identify and prosecute them. But the knowledge from several disciplines (<a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/ethology">ethology</a>, social psychology and criminology) can help us to understand them. Deception to ensure survival Ethologists study animal behaviour. They have observed that species, including humans, have developed a complex means of deceiving their prey in order <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1745691614535936">to ensure their survival</a>. For example, ethologists have identified complex forms of deceptions in other species, such as the jumping spider, which uses behavioural and chemical mimicry. This allows them to coexist with ants and feed on them. This is regarded as comparable to humans engaging in embezzlement by which they use their privileged access to resources and reputation for illegally extracting finances from other people. <iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vAS3kahu76k?wmode=transparent&start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> Altruistic lies? Social psychologists have found that when humans lie for altruistic purposes or advancement of the group, the lie is often praised rather than denigrated. For example, even young children (aged between five and seven) show a willingness to tell “white lies” in order <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/bjdp.12083">to make others feel better</a>. Meanwhile other research shows that adults perceive lying that benefits others (because sometimes the truth hurts) <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022103114000328?via%3Dihub">as more “ethical”</a> than honest statements. <iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wJCRzgAPwE4?wmode=transparent&start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> Typical and serious lies Social psychological research shows that <a href="https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781351035743">lying is part of normal life</a>. Frequently, people tell everyday lies that are rather benign. Most of these lies are self-serving, but many are designed to benefit others. People most often tell <a href="https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=uC1NDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT116&lpg=PT116&dq=doi:+http://dx.doi.org/10.1207/s15324834basp2602%263_4&source=bl&ots=b4Yp7Aw_WK&sig=ACfU3U1sEhUyv82mQ4iTYFaGTKveIwdjpQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwijj9Dhq8HmAhWJa8AKHRFiB08Q6AEwAHoECAcQAQ#v=onepage&q=doi%3A%20http%3A%2F%2Fdx.doi.org%2F10.1207%2Fs15324834basp2602%263_4&f=false">“serious lies”</a> to their closest relationship partners. They tell serious lies in order to avoid punishment, protect themselves from confrontation, appear a highly desirable person, to protect others and also to hurt their partner. Common serious lies tend to involve affairs and taking money from others without their knowledge. Liars, fraudsters and corruption Frauds represent a complex array of deceptive behaviour that originates in species and arises, in part, from some of the typical motivations for deception. It is, of course, a criminal activity that is well understood by criminologists. Most criminals are typically male and have parents with criminal records, delinquent peer friends, arrests at a young age and come from poor areas with <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5892438/">higher crime rates</a>. Today’s most common online scams are often carried out by people from poor countries. These countries and their government officials are generally regarded as corrupt by <a href="https://www.transparency.org/files/content/pages/2018_CPI_Executive_Summary.pdf">international corruption indexes</a>. Such corruption conveys the message that deception is a desirable strategy. Poverty combined with high corruption contributes to a heightened motivation to deceive others for survival. The criminals in question tend to have traits of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0047235217301897">psychopathic and antisocial personality disorders</a>. Research has investigated illegal downloading and hacking in adolescents from 30 countries. It was found that “<a href="https://www.cybercrimejournal.com/Udrisvol10issue2IJCC2016.pdf">cyber deviance</a>” was mostly carried out by males and by people who experienced “school disorganisation” (stealing and vandalism) and “neighbourhood disorganisation” (having untrustworthy or criminal neighbours). These “cyber deviants” tend to have <a href="https://www.cybercrimejournal.com/Udrisvol10issue2IJCC2016.pdf">elevated cognitive ability</a> and, of course, have access to computers and technology. This type of fraud is often well planned and the fraudsters employ a range of deceptive tactics. The law tries to keep these criminals at bay. In September 2019, Operation reWired in the US succeeded in prosecuting <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/281-arrested-worldwide-coordinated-international-enforcement-operation-targeting-hundreds">281 email scammers</a> from several countries. But the large numbers of fraudsters who combine deceptive and complex strategies make it extremely difficult to keep these crimes under control. So an understanding of how their minds work and their modus operandi is vital if one is to avoid becoming a victim.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/127471/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ken-rotenberg-272715">Ken Rotenberg</a>, Professor in Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/keele-university-1012">Keele University</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/inside-the-mind-of-the-online-scammer-127471">original article</a>.

Retirement Income

Man sent to prison for defrauding desperate farmers

In the midst of the crippling drought affecting many parts of the nation, scammers have been preying on the vulnerability of who are desperate to feed their livestock. And recently, a man from Parkes was sent to prison for his unscrupulous act of <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/criminal/offences/fraud-charges/fraud-s192e/">dishonestly obtaining a financial gain by deception.</a> The story so far Stephen John Swindle (his real name) from Parkes had a business masquerading the sale of hay and grain to farmers, but simply did not deliver it after receiving payment. Mr Swindle was imprisoned last week for defrauding New South Wales farmers of more than $80,000 in a scam that lasted more than two years, after being found guilty of 10 counts of <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/criminal/legislation/crimes-act/fraud/">fraud under section 192E of the Crimes Act 1900</a>. During Mr Swindle’s sentencing hearing, the presiding magistrate described his actions as reprehensible, in light of the tough drought affecting our farmers, and labelled the defendant as “lying, dishonest and violent”. According to police papers, several vulnerable farmers purchased food for their livestock through Mr Swindle’s business. Some of the orders were partially delivered, while others were not delivered at all. Mr Swindle lied to his customers about the whereabouts of the delivery trucks, and spent his ill-gotten gains on trips to theme parks, accommodation on the NSW South Coast, sports betting, groceries and liquor. Mr Swindle has been sentenced to a total of three years and six months behind bars and will be eligible for parole in November 2020. Not the first case Earlier this year, a Villawood man was also charged 13 fraud charges arising from a social media scam which allegedly advertised feed for livestock, which according to police was never delivered. The man allegedly targeted farmers in the Hunter Valley region, fleecing them to the tune of $40,000. Police say that, unfortunately, fraudulent schemes of this type are on the rise, and everyone needs to be vigilant. The offence of fraud in NSW Fraud is a general term used to describe a dishonest act which deceives another for financial gain, or another’s financial loss. The general offence of fraud carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison where the charge comes before the District Court, or two years for each count up to a maximum of five years where the case remains in the Local Court. The severity of the sentence for a person who is found guilty, or pleads guilty, depends on a number of factors, including the value of the funds or property involved, the length of time it was conducted, the sophistication of the enterprise as well as the personal characteristics of the defendant, including whether he or she has previous convictions, whether a guilty plea was entered, whether the money was repaid, whether any underlying issues have been addressed (such as gambling or drug addiction) and any demonstrated remorse. Section 192E of the Crimes Act provides that: (1) A person who, by any deception, dishonestly– (a) obtains property belonging to another, or (b) obtains any financial advantage or causes any financial disadvantage, is guilty of the offence of fraud. Maximum penalty–Imprisonment for 10 years. (2) A person’s obtaining of property belonging to another may be dishonest even if the person is willing to pay for the property. (3) A person may be convicted of the offence of fraud involving all or any part of a general deficiency in money or other property even though the deficiency is made up of any number of particular sums of money or items of other property that were obtained over a period of time. (4) A conviction for the offence of fraud is an alternative verdict to a charge for the offence of <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/criminal/offences/larceny-stealing-theft/">larceny</a>, or any offence that includes larceny, and a conviction for the offence of larceny, or any offence that includes larceny, is an alternative verdict to a charge for the offence of fraud. Written by Sonia Hickey and Ugur Nedim. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/man-sent-to-prison-for-defrauding-desperate-farmers/">Sydney Criminal Lawyers.</a>

Legal

Online romance scammers cost Aussies more than $28.6 million

Australians lost more than $28.6 million to romance scams in 2019 – and these numbers are expected to be “just the tip of the iceberg”, according to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/romance-scammers-move-to-new-apps-costing-aussies-more-than-286-million" target="_blank">the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission</a> (ACCC). Nearly 4,000 dating and romance scams were reported in 2019, with 37.5 per cent of them resulting in financial losses. The victims lost an average of $19,000 from scams on various online platforms, including dating platforms Plenty of Fish and Match.com, social media sites Google Hangouts and Facebook, and online games Words with Friends and Scrabble. “We’ve seen an increase in reports from people who did not originally seek an online relationship but have been caught up in a dating and romance scam,” ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said. “No longer are dating websites the only contact method for dating and romance scams, with an increasing number of reports coming from these emerging websites and apps.” The most affected demographic was people aged 45 to 64, with 1,470 reports and more than $18 million in losses. More than a third of the losses (33.8 per cent or almost $9.7 million) occurred through bank transfer, followed by other payment methods such as iTunes and Google Play gift cards, which 30.8 per cent ($8.8 million) of all losses. Scammers would generally ask the victim to send money or provide financial aid so they can purportedly meet each other in person, the ACCC warned. The con artist would guilt-trip the victim if they refuse, or ask for more money if they comply. “Don’t give out personal information, including your financial details, to anybody you haven’t met in person, no matter who they say they are, and don’t share intimate photos or use webcams in an intimate setting,” Rickard said. “Don’t agree to carry packages internationally or agree to transfer money for someone else as you may be inadvertently committing a crime.” “If you become concerned by the conversation, such as if the person is asking for ‘favours’ or money, cease communication.”

Retirement Income

Young Brisbane artist targeted by scammers after losing her legs

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> Brisbane artist Visaya Hoffie, 23, has spoken out about the scam that started after she lost both of her legs in a freak accident on the New York subway. It was a scam donation page that was set up on Donobox, falsely publicising itself as raising money for her treatment. “Do not donate to this page. It is a scam,” Visaya wrote, sharing a screenshot of the impostor page. Donorbox has since confirmed it has removed the fake fundraiser account. “Regarding the fake fundraiser, the page was taken down within a matter of hours of being created and the account was banned,” a spokeswoman told <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7941713/Australian-artist-23-lost-legs-freak-New-York-subway-accident-dealt-cruel-blow.html" target="_blank">the Daily Mail</a>. Visaya was visiting a friend in New York when she tripped and fell onto the tracks. She was run over by a train and all seven of its carriages, but the shirt she was wearing saved her life as it was bright pink and spotted by another train driver. Her mother, Pat Hoffie, revealed in an emotional Facebook post just what happened to he daughter. <div id="fb-root"></div> <div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156831928273671&set=pcb.10156831931753671&type=3&theater" data-width="auto"> <blockquote class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ArTcRedsN0tdEaD">Jo Diball</a> on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156831928273671&set=a.490550323670&type=3">Tuesday, January 21, 2020</a></blockquote> </div> “When the first train had rolled across her unconscious body 20 minutes earlier, her black puffy jacket and black jeans had made her invisible to the driver,” Ms Hoffie explained. “The bright pink colour of her top is what alerted the engine driver of the second train to the fact that someone was lying across the track.” Her mother said: “Visaya is now off breathing support, and has started to eat. She is sedated but is optimistic and has already muttered, ‘I’m going to have to deal with this’,”. “It’s difficult at the moment,” Ms Hoffie said from her daughter’s New York hospital bedside. “But we are in the best possible medical home but we just have to put our heads together and work through it. “We’re in the middle of a very trying time.” </div> </div> </div>

Body

Aussies warned of bushfire appeal scammers

Australia’s ongoing bushfire crisis has prompted great philanthropic efforts around the world for bushfire-affected communities and volunteer firefighters – but authorities are now warning donators to look out for scammers posing as charities or victims. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) told the <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-07/scammers-targeting-australians-for-bushfire-funds/11849998">ABC</a> it had received 86 reports of bushfire-related scams since September 2019. Some known scams include people impersonating legitimate charities and bushfire victims, fraudulent fundraising pages, and scammers door-knocking homes soliciting donations. The consumer watchdog advised those seeking to donate to check if charities are registered on the <a href="https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity">Australia Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Charity Register</a>, ensure that they are dealing with legitimate organisations and respond to crowdfunding requests only on platforms that guarantee a refund if the page is found to be fraudulent. “If you think you have paid money to a scammer, please contact your bank immediately,” the ACCC said. On Tuesday, the ACCC launched a dedicated hotline for reporting bushfire-related scams. Australians can report suspicious donation appeals on 1300 795 995 or the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/" target="_blank">Scamwatch website</a>. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> You can report suspicious donation appeals related to the bushfires at <a href="https://t.co/sWWNpu8CRr">https://t.co/sWWNpu8CRr</a>. From Tuesday 7 January the ACCC will have a dedicated reporting line for bushfire related scams on 1300 795 995. For more information see <a href="https://t.co/aYNWkmWG5x">https://t.co/aYNWkmWG5x</a> <a href="https://t.co/saSRR8SX4p">pic.twitter.com/saSRR8SX4p</a> — Scamwatch_gov_au (@Scamwatch_gov) <a href="https://twitter.com/Scamwatch_gov/status/1214052923480494082?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2020</a></blockquote> Victoria’s Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville said she was aware of the frauds. “We’ve heard that there are some fake charities out there and all I can say is this is the lowest of the low in terms of behaviour,” Neville said at a press conference. “We want to make sure they can’t get away with these sorts of scams. “My advice is don’t give money over the phone. Do it this way, look up the website, pay online, and do it through the proper processes.” OverSixty, its parent company and its owners are donating a total of $200,000 to the Vinnie’s Bushfire Appeal. We have also pledged an additional $100,000 of product to help all those affected by the bushfire crisis. We would love you to support too! Head to <a href="https://donate.vinnies.org.au/appeals-nsw/vinnies-nsw-bushfire-appeal-nsw">the website</a> to donate.

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