Scams, and the con artists behind them, are forever evolving and becoming more sophisticated and harder to spot.
ACM has compiled a list of current scams identified on sites such as scamwatch.gov.au, cyber.gov.au and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s website dedicated to informing people about fraudulent and dishonest activities.
Criminals targeting job seekers
Scamwatch: Online jobseekers targeted for drug couriering
- Queensland Police, the Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force are warning the community to be vigilant online, following investigations identifying criminals are using social media to recruit people to unknowingly act as drug couriers.
- Investigators are warning that international drug syndicates are turning to social media platforms to recruit job hunters, to unknowingly receive, store or transport international packages containing illicit drugs.
- In one failed drug smuggling attempt, investigators stopped a Brisbane man, who thought he had accepted an online job offer delivering packages for a construction company, from transporting 2 kilograms of methylamphetamine concealed in an international parcel. The man had been approached after posting a work wanted ad online and was offered $250 for each delivery.
- According to police, the trend is not unique to Queensland and criminals are targeting people from across Australia.
- Investigators are encouraging the community to stay vigilant by researching any potential employer and conducting your own background checks to ensure their details and offer are legitimate and lawful.
- Conduct your own independent checks such as verifying the organisation’s contact details, website and checking their ABN if based in Australia.
- A reverse image search of a profile picture can also be a useful research tool.
- If you have been the victim of a cybercrime, you can report this online at ReportCyber at www.cyber.gov.au/acsc/report or via Scamwatch at www.scamwatch.gov.au
SCAM: The ATO will never send you an email or SMS with a link to log in to online services.
- The Australian Taxation Office is warning of an increase in email phishing scams claiming to be from the ATO.
- These scams tell people their ‘2022 tax lodgment’ has been received.
- The email asks them to open an attachment to sign a document and complete their ‘to do list details’.
- Opening the attachment takes you to a fake Microsoft login page designed to steal your login details. Entering your password could give the scammer access to your Microsoft account, allowing them to reset your passwords for other accounts like banking and online shopping.
- If you get an email like this, don’t click on any links or open any attachments. Forward the email to ReportEmailFraud@ato.gov.au, and then delete it.
- The real ATO will never send you an email or SMS with a link to log in to online services.
- And while the organisation may use email or SMS to ask you to contact them, they will never send an unsolicited message asking you to return personal identifying information through these channels.
Fake TFN/ABN application scams
- The ATO is also warning people to be on the look out for scams involving fake tax file number (TFN) applications.
- These scams tell people they can help them get a TFN for a fee. But instead of delivering this service, these fraudulent websites steal the person’s money and personal information.
- Such scams are often advertised on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
- Applying for a TFN is free. Visit: www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Tax-file-number/Apply-for-a-TFN/
Jobs and employment scams
These types of scams are not knew but are doing the rounds once again.
- Job seekers are being urged to watch out for fake employment scams that offer ‘guaranteed’ ways to make lots of money, very fast, according to Scamwatch.
- The scammer contacts you by email, letter or phone and offers you a job that requires very little effort for high returns, or a guaranteed way to make money quickly. You may even come across false job opportunities on classified ad websites.
- The job on offer may require you to do something simple such as stuffing envelopes or assembling a product using materials that you have to buy from the ’employer’.
- To accept the job you will be asked to pay for a starter kit or materials relevant to the job or scheme.
- If you pay the fee you may not receive anything or what you do receive is not what you expected or were promised. For example, instead of a ‘business plan’, you may be sent instructions for how to get other people to join the same scheme.
- On completion of your work, the scammer will refuse to pay you for some or all of your work, using excuses such as the work not being up to the required standard.
- Another type of job opportunity scam asks you to use your bank account to receive and pass on payments for a foreign company. The scammers promise you a percentage commission for each payment you pass on.
- If you provide your account details the scammer may use them to steal your money or commit other fraudulent activities.
- Scamwatch warns to be suspicious of unsolicited ‘work from home’ opportunities or job offers, particularly those that offer a ‘guaranteed income’ or require you to pay an upfront fee.
Tip for spotting a romance scam
RESEARCH: A reverse image search may help in identifying potential scams.
- Scamwatch has offered advice to help identify a romance scammer, online shopping scam or even a puppy scam.
- Scammers steal photographs of real people to create realistic profiles.
- Reverse image searches of profile pictures can help you spot the difference between a genuine and a fake profile – it can also confirm if the image has been used before in a scam.
- You can use Google’s reverse online image search of photos, and if the suspect profile photo appears under different names, you may have caught yourself a scammer.
- On a computer or device: open a web browser, like Chrome or Firefox then go to Google Images. Click Search by image, click ‘upload an image’ and Choose File or Browse. Select a picture from your computer Click Open or Choose.
- Visit Google Search Help for more advice on doing an online reverse image search.
Tradie scams doing the rounds
- Scammers aren’t always online, Scamwatch is urging people to be aware of fake tradies that may come knocking on your door.
- Fake tradies will often high-pressure sales tactics to get your money.
- Remember, if a deal seems too good to be true, it usually is.
- They ask for payment before starting the work and, once they are paid, they then disappear with your money regardless of whether they begin the work or leave the work unfinished or of a substandard quality.
- They look for houses that have handrails and ramps, often targeting older resident and may offer driveway resurfacing, house painting, gardening or tree cutting, roof and guttering repairs, and carpet cleaning.
COVID-19 scam texts urging you to order free test kits are still doing the rounds.
- Scamwatch advises that COVID-19 scam texts urging you to order free test kits are still doing the rounds.
- Text messages claiming to be from Medicare, stating “you have been in close contact with someone who has contracted COVID-19” and to order a “free Test Kit” with a link.
- Do not click on links in unexpected text messages.
- If you are unsure whether this is a true message from the government, log into your MyGov inbox.
BE CAREFUL: Consumers looking to bag a bargain during the online ‘Click Frenzy’ sales are being urged to use caution and buy from reputable outlets.
- Consumers looking to bag a bargain during the online ‘Click Frenzy’ sales are being urged to use caution and buy from reputable outlets.
- Click Frenzy is an e-commerce outlet that offers sales events throughout the year. Some scammers have aimed to capitalise on the sale events buy luring buyers to their own fake websites.
- Scammers use the latest technology to set up fake retailer websites that look like genuine online retail stores.
- They may use sophisticated designs and layouts, possibly stolen logos, and even a ‘.com.au’ domain name and stolen Australian Business Number (ABN).
- Many of these websites offer luxury items such as popular brands of clothing, jewellery and electronics at very low prices. Sometimes you will receive the item you paid for but they will be fake, other times you will receive nothing at all.
- The biggest tip-off that a retail website is a scam is the method of payment. Scammers will often ask you to pay using a money order, pre-loaded money card, or wire transfer, but if you send your money this way, it’s unlikely you will see it again or receive your purchased item.
- A newer version of online shopping scams involves the use of social media platforms to set up fake online stores. They open the store for a short time, often selling fake branded clothing or jewellery. After making a number of sales, the stores disappear.
- They also use social media to advertise their fake website, so do not trust a site just because you have seen it advertised or shared on social media.
- The best way to detect an fake trader or social media online shopping scam is to search for reviews before purchasing.
BE WARY: Do your research before paying for holiday deals that seem too good to be true.
- Adventurers keen to start travelling again are being warned of holiday-related scams.
- Fake websites will often advertise holiday deals that seem to good to be true.
- Often the scammer will convince a victim to pay a deposit or total amount for a holiday package. Once the funds are received the scammer disappears.
- Only book from secure sites that are known and trusted.
- Always check each website’s URL to make sure it’s legitimate and secure.
- If purchasing from a company for the first time, research and check reviews.
- Never wire money directly to a seller.
- Avoid paying for items with pre-paid gift cards. In these scams, a seller will ask you to send them a gift card number and PIN.
Scamwatch: Online jobseekers targeted for drug couriering
- These scams target people seeking new rental…
