Last week this training was followed up by the NSW Department of Fair Trading Community Liaison Officer for the South Coast, Michella Veal, making Rotarians aware of the many scams that people, especially in the older demographic, are caught out on.

Michella’s opening line was ‘If it sounds too good to be true, it generally is’.

In 2016 the Department of Fair Trading received 155, 035 reports of scams that netted the scammers an astonishing $83,563,599 from their unsuspecting victims.

The top three scams were Dating and Romance – over $25 million, Investment Schemes – over $23 million and Upfront payments – over $6 million.

On average last year those over the age of 45 were two times more likely to be the victims of scams and lost three times as much money than those under 45.

Scammers will contact their victims by mail, phone call, text message, email, online or a simple knock on the door.

Apart from the door knock, that has been reducing over recent years with increased regulation, these communications can come from anywhere in the world and do.

Dating and romance scams as a rule follow the pattern of the scammer targeting the vulnerable and the lonely and take their time to ‘groom’, build strong emotions quickly, starting with gifts, then asking for money with increasing pressure.

Some indicators of investment scams are, software programs to predict sporting results, glossy brochures with stories of success, schemes promising huge returns’ and ‘risk free profits and high pressure, limited offer opportunities.

Michella also gave examples of scammers using false documentation from Taxation, Australia Post, banking, and other agencies pointing out the subtle indicators of a scam such as false telephone numbers email addresses asking for your banking details or money to process a refund for you.

Banking and credit card scammers also use phishing, fake fraud alert and card skimming techniques on their unsuspecting victims

The best ways to protect yourself against scammers is to ask questions and dig a little deeper, protect your identity, be careful when sending or transferring money and make decisions in your own time.

The best ways to protect others is to talk about scams, protect your loved ones and report a scam.

The NSW Department of Fair trading have a wealth of information, tips and measures to protect people from scammers and any South Coast Register readers who suspect they have been scammed, want to find out more about or be alerted to current scams should contact the department on 133220 or see their website www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au.