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.
Farm businesses warned of scams targeting agricultural sector
Scammers are ruthlessly luring farmers and rural businesses with seemingly good online deals on tractors and other farm machinery through fake websites or bogus classifieds on legitimate platforms and publications. File picture.
- Farmers and small businesses in rural and regional areas are urged to be cautious, particularly when buying heavy machinery, following a spike in scams targeting the agricultural sector this year.
- Reports to the ACCC’s Scamwatch show Australian farm businesses lost more than $1.2 million to scammers between January 1 and August 31, 2022, an increase of more than 20 per cent compared to the same period last year.
- The most common scam targeting farmers involved the sale of tractors and heavy machinery, with losses to this scam alone topping $1 million so far this year.
- Scammers are ruthlessly luring farmers and rural businesses with seemingly good online deals on tractors and other farm machinery through fake websites or bogus classifieds on legitimate platforms and publications.
- Scammers trick people through a range of ever-evolving methods such as providing a contract of sale, answering questions about the potential sale of machinery by phone or email, or offering a free trial period once money is deposited into an escrow account, which is actually part of the scam.
- Independently verifying the existence of a business by searching the address of the business and calling a nearby business, is an important step in ensuring the seller is who they say they are.
- Farmers are also being warned against giving too much personal information as scammers are targeting more than just money.
- Businesses, regardless of whether they have lost money, are encouraged to report scams and learn more about how to get help on the Scamwatch website scamwatch.gov.au.
Action to take after Optus data breach
Scamwatch is warning Australians to be on the lookout for increased scam activity following the Optus data breach in September.
For some customers, identity document numbers such as driver’s licence or passport numbers could be in the hands of criminals. It is important to be aware that you be may be at risk of identity theft and take urgent action to prevent harm.
This action should include:
- Secure and monitor your devices and accounts for unusual activity, and ensure they have the latest security updates.
- Enable multi-factor authentication for all accounts.
Be alert for scams referencing the Optus data breach. Learn how to protect yourself from scams by visiting www.scamwatch.gov.au.
If you are concerned that your identity has been compromised or you have been a victim of a scam, contact your bank immediately and call IDCARE on 1800 595 160.
The Australian Government says passports are still safe to use. Optus has agreed to reimburse the costs associated with replacing a passport due to the breach.
Service NSW said you only need to replace your NSW driver licence if Optus has notified you that both your driver licence number and the card number have been compromised.
Steps you can take to protect your personal information: secure your devices and monitor for unusual activity; change your online account passwords and enable multi factor authentication for banking; check your accounts for unusual activity such as items you haven’t purchased; place limits on your accounts or ask you bank how you can secure your money; if you suspect fraud you can request a ban on your credit report.
If you think you may be affected by the recent Optus data breach contact Optus Customer service on 133 937. For more information, see Optus Data Breach.
Optus customers are urged to watch out for contact from scammers who may have your personal information. File picture
Consumers urged to watch for scams after Optus data breach
- Scamwatch is warning Australians to be on the lookout for increased scam activity following the recent Optus data breach.
- If you are an Optus customer your name, date of birth, phone number, email addresses may have been released.
- For some customers identity document numbers such as driver’s licence or passport numbers could be in the hands of criminals. It is important to be aware that you be may be at risk of identity theft and take urgent action to prevent harm.
- Scammers will use the data breach and target people in any way that they can. You will likely notice an increased number of phishing emails, phone calls, and SMS or social media messages.
- Be wary of new communications and don’t just accept what you’re being told, and do not click any links or open any attachments.
- Optus customers should take immediate steps to secure all of their accounts, particularly their bank and financial accounts. You should also monitor for unusual activity on your accounts and watch out for contact by scammers.
- Steps you can take to protect your personal information: secure your devices and monitor for unusual activity; change your online account passwords and enable multi factor authentication for banking; check your accounts for unusual activity such as items you haven’t purchased; place limits on your accounts or ask you bank how you can secure your money; if you suspect fraud you can request a ban on your credit report.
- More information about how to protect yourself is available on the OAIC website.
- Check the Optus website for information. Contact Optus via the My Optus App or 133 937.
Facebook marketplace scams
Marketplace users are encouraged to be familiar with the telltale signs of fraudulent activity. File picture.
- Facebook Marketplace has become one of the most popular online selling platforms worldwide, making it an attractive platform for scammers.
- Scammers may pose as a buyer or seller so Marketplace users are encouraged to be familiar with the telltale signs of fraudulent activity.
- These signs may include a request to sent an item before payment is received; a deal that looks too good to be true and requests for payments that are hard to reverse such as gift cards or unregulated payment methods such as cryptocurrency.
- Scammers are using Facebook Marketplace to advertise rentals properties that don’t exist or aren’t available, taking deposits before disappearing.
- Other scammers are using the platform to sell broken, damaged or stolen goods.
- Facebook has commerce policies and community standards that aim to regulate consumer activities.
- You can report policy breaches via its Report Seller function within the platform.
- For more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/help/196126404168290
You can report scams to the ACC via www.scamwatch.gov.au
- Scamwatch.gov.au provides a platform to report scams to the Australian Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
- To report a scam visit www.scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam
- If you’re the victim of identity theft or cybercrime call the Australian Cyber Security Hotline on 1300 292 371.
- It you have been scammed you should cease all contact with the scammer; report the scam as soon as possible, contact your bank or financial institution and document your experience and details about the scammer such as email addresses, websites and phone numbers.
Keeping your social media account secure
Accepting friend requests from strangers gives potential scammers access to any personal information that may be on a profile page. File picture
- Scamwatch.gov.au is urging people to be careful about who they connect with on social media.
- Accepting friend requests from strangers gives potential scammers access to any personal information that may be on a profile page.
- Access to such information could make a social media user vulnerable to a scam.
- Facebook recommends you don’t use your social media password anywhere else online, and never share it with other people.
- Passwords should be hard to guess, so don’t include your name or common words.
- Scammers may create fake websites that look like Facebook and ask you to log in with your email and password.
- Always check the website’s URL before you enter your login information.
- Log out of social media accounts when you use a computer that you share with other people.
- Don’t accept friend requests from people you don’t know as scammers may create fake accounts to friend people.
- Becoming friends with scammers might allow them to spam your timeline, tag you in posts and send you malicious messages.
- Never click suspicious links, even if they appear to come from a friend or a company you know.
- This includes links on Facebook (e.g. on posts) or in emails.
- For more information about keeping you social media account secure you can visit: https://www.facebook.com/help/mobile-touch/202438353130736
ASIC is alerting investors about fake fixed term or high interest deposits in various currencies claiming to be a ‘new breed of investment’. Picture: file picture
- People are being warned of a sophisticated and evolving scam targeting investors.
- ASIC is alerting investors about fake fixed term or high interest deposits in various currencies claiming to be a ‘new breed of investment’.
- Offers appear to include common phrases such as ‘beating inflation’ and ‘meeting liabilities’.
- These offers often include the unauthorised use of the Australian Government Coat of Arms and ASIC’s and/or APRA’s logos.
- Scammers copy contract documents from real financial firms & replace the contact details with their own.
- ASIC is urging people to be wary of unsolicited contact, especially when the person contacts you to invest. If someone contacts you, hang up or do not reply.
- Investors should also be suspicious of interest rates that are higher than other alternatives. If an investment offer guarantees higher returns than other investments in the…
