Every year, thousands of Australians are targeted by scams, whether it be online, via phone, mail or even in person.
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Australian Community Media has compiled a list of current scams identified on sites such as scamwatch.gov.au, www.cyber.gov.au and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's website dedicated to informing people about fraudulent and dishonest activities:
Scams disguised as assistance
- The ever-evolving method of fraudsters has seen scam artists work to separate victims from their money by offering 'advice or assistance' in exchange for payment or gift cards.
- The scam appears as someone online or on the phone 'coaching' you or telling you to lie to a known business, according to Scamwatch.
- This might happen if they are 'helping' you set up a trading account, telling you to buy gift cards or transferring money to 'catch' scammers.
Watch out for online shopping scams in lead up to holiday season
- Consumers are being urged to be vigilant when it comes to online shopping in the lead up to Christmas.
- According to Scamwatch, scammers often target people doing their Christmas shopping, including in the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.
- Scammers may create fake websites that look like genuine online stores, offering products at very low prices and victims will either receive a fake item or nothing at all.
- They may also post fake ads on classified websites, often claiming they are travelling and someone else will deliver the goods, but the item never arrives and the victim can no longer contact the seller.
- Scamwatch suggests conducting thorough research before making a purchase by checking independent reviews of online stores or the seller's history on classified websites.
- The website also urges consumers to take the time to consider each purchase and not to be pressured by special offers.
- More information on such scams is available on the Scamwatch website at www.scamwatch.gov.au.