What you should know about scams and how to protect yourself from them
Scams target everyone in Australia regardless of background, age and income level. Everyone can be a victim of fraud, so everyone needs to learn about recognizing and avoiding them. Scammers are deceivers so if you do not know how to detect it, you can easily fall prey to fraud.
What can you do to protect yourself?
How to know a fake
Where to get help
More information
Scams happen because they seem real and they get you in the moment of your weakness and you don’t expect it. This may include offers that are too good to be true, a call to repair your computer or a threat to pay your debt, a notice from a bank or telephone company that there is a problem with your bank or an invitation to befriend them online.
Scammers use new technologies, new products or services and big events to create credible stories that will entice you to give money or personal details. Fraudsters can impersonate government officials and make false claims or threats of fines, arrests and deportations to scare you and pay you back. Scammers can get some personal information from "facebook" or "social media" to make their demands seem legitimate.
What can you do to protect yourself?
Be alert and protect yourself from fraud by these signs:
Be alert against scammers. If someone is calling from a person or business over the phone or in the mail, email, in person or on a social networking site (for example: facebook), always think it could be a scam.
Get to know the person you are talking to. If you have only met someone on the internet / online or you are not sure that a business is legitimate, check it out carefully. Do a Google search or search the Internet for people who may have been in this relationship.
Do not open suspicious "text", "pop-up window" or "email" - delete them immediately. If you do not know, contact the contact through an independent source of information such as a phone book or online search. Do not use the contact details they provide.
Keep personal details safe. Lock your mailbox and tear off your receipts and other important documents before disposing of them. Keep your passwords and pin numbers in a safe place. Be careful about providing personal information on social media.
Keep mobile and computer equipment safe. Always use password protectors, do not share "access" with others (even remotely), always keep "security software" and "back up content". Protect your "WiFi network" with a "password" and avoid using public computers or "WiFi hotspots" for your online banking or to provide personal information.
Choose your passwords carefully. Choose passwords that are difficult for others to guess and always change them. Do not use the same "password" for all your accounts / profiles and do not share your "passwords" with others.
Review your privacy and security settings on social media. If you use social networking sites, such as Facebook, be careful who is relevant and study the use of "privacy" and "security settings" to make sure you stay safe.
Be careful with any request for your details or money. Do not send money or provide details of your credit card, online account or copies of personal documents to anyone you do not know or trust.
Be careful when shopping online / online. Beware of offers that seem overwhelming, and only use reputable and trusted online shopping service.
How to know a fake
Signs of a fake document
Documents are easily forged. There are those who look real but there are others whose signs are dangerous, such as:
greetings are general and not personal
there are names of false organizations
bad image
grammar and spelling are poor
the word is too showy and hypocritical
Documents such as flight itineraries and bank reports have a simple, uncomplicated design because these businesses allow their clients to copy reports from online. So it is very easy to fake such documents.
Signs of fake email
Scammers can fake emails to look real, use the same "logo" and look like "email" similar to a real company.
You are often unprepared if you receive an email from a company you have previously associated with, such as Australia Post or an online shopping site. If you did not expect emaill, you should check if it is fake before clicking any "links" or "attachments".
Signs of fake "dating profile"
When scanning a new acquaintance from a "former agency", note any unusual in their:
photo
location
interest
compare the word used with their origin
Scammers often use fake photos obtained on the internet.
Tip: Do an "image search" about your fans to see if they are the same as what they say. You can use image search services on "Google" or "TinEye".
Where to get help
If you lose money in a scam or you give your personal details to a scammer, you may not be able to get it back. But there are methods that can be used immediately to limit the damage and protect you from further harm.
Call your bank or credit union
If you provide money or personal banking information, call your bank or credit union immediately. They may stop exchanging money or checks, or close your "account" if the fraudster obtains your banking details.
If you are not sure if you are cheating, do not continue giving money. Scammers will keep asking for money until you quit.
Restore your lost identity
If there is a suspicion that you have been the victim of identity theft, it is important to act immediately to reduce the risk of losing money or other damages.
You can:
call iDcare - a free government-funded service to help create a unique response plan for your situation and support you in implementing it. Visit the iDcare website or call 1300 IDCARE (432273)
apply for a Commonwealth Victims' Certificate - a document that will help your claim as a victim of identity theft, and can be used to re-create identities in government and financial institutions. Visit the “Victims of Commonwealth identity crime”.
Report the scam to the authorities
By reporting to the appropriate agency, you can help vulgar scammers and warn people about scams.