Showing posts with label scams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label scams. Show all posts
Beware - details of latest online scam doing the rounds!!
When buying and selling online try to positively identify any purchaser so that if you are caught by the scam outlined below (or any variance there of) you can supply police with identification that will assist with investigations.
A recent example:
A scammer advertises an iPhone 6 for sale on gumtree, for $700 - an iPhone that doesn’t exist.
The scammer lists a prepaid phone number for people to respond to.
The scammer sees another ad for sale on gumtree for a Samsung Galaxy, a phone that he wants.
The Victim responds to the ad for the iPhone 6 and texts the scammer.
The scammer contacts the third party advertising the Samsung phone and requests his Paypal details.
The scammer then forwards the third party Paypal details to the victim.
The victim then unknowingly pays $700 into the third party account and believes the iPhone will be posted out to him in the coming week.
The scammer, knowing the victim has paid the money into the third party account, goes to the third party house to collect his free (now paid for by the victim) Samsung phone. There is a brief conversation between the offender and the third party “You got the money into your Paypal account right?” But the third party does not verify who he is giving the phone to.
He’s just happy he has the money in his Paypal account
The victim is down $700.
The scammer gets a free phone.
The third party has no idea what’s happened, until Paypal is trying to take $700 off him for a suspected fraud.
If you fall victim to an online scam, police urge you to report it.
Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.
Crime Stoppers is a registered charity and community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service.
For all non-urgent police reporting or general police inquiries contact Policelink on 131 444 or Policelink.qld.gov.au 24hrs a day.
Source:
myPolice
Gold Coast
SCAM WATCH - ATO SCAM...............
Please be aware of the SCAM which is currently occurring.
Runaway Bay station has had in an excess of over 10 persons who have informed the station that they have received a call from a male person claiming to be from the ATO ( Australian Taxation Office) indicating that money is owed them and stating that if you do not pay the supposed debt that your house will be seized by the ATO and you will also be arrested.
They direct you withdraw a large sum of money form your personal account and then attend the post office to deposit the money at the post office and will provide you with instructions when you attend the post office.
DO NOT DO THIS! THIS IS A SCAM AND THIS IS NOT THE TAX OFFICE!
Should you be in receipt of one of these scam phone calls please report the matter immedatly to WWW.ACORN.GOV.AU.
The ATO would not contact you via phone in this manner nor will the ATO make threats to you over the phone.
Source:
myPolice
Gold Coast
Beware - Fake Microft Upgrade Scammers are out there!!
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Warning: ATO Tax Scam
Police are urging the public to remain vigilant in light of continued Australia Taxation Office (ATO) tax scams.
In one of the latest occurrences a fraudster phoned a Beenleigh resident claiming to be from the ATO. The fraudster stated that they had a tax bill of $1,050 and that if it was not paid a warrant would be issued for the persons arrest.
Second Commissioner at Australian Taxation Office Geoff Leeper advised news.com.au in July, “We would never cold call you about a debt, we would never threaten jail or arrest, and our staff certainly wouldn’t behave in an aggressive manner.”
If anyone has been the victim of such an occurrence, police encourage you to contact the ATO on 132869, visit the ATO website on SCAMwatch.
Source
myPolice Logan
Australians lose $45 million to scams in 2015
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is urging the community not to send money or personal details to strangers after $45 million was reported lost to scams already this year and 45,000 complaints made.
"Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their attempts to get your money or personal details. Scams succeed because they look like the real thing and catch you off guard when you’re not expecting it," ACCC Acting Chair Delia Rickard said.
"Scams target people of all backgrounds, ages and income levels across Australia. There's no one group of people who are more likely to become a victim of a scam and all of us may be vulnerable to a scam at some time."
- Be alert to the fact that scams exist: When dealing with uninvited contacts from people or businesses, whether it's over the phone, by mail, email, in person or on a social networking site, always consider the possibility that the approach may be a scam. Remember, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
- Know who you're dealing with: If you've only ever met someone online or are unsure of the legitimacy of a business, take some time to do a bit more research. Do a Google image search on photos or search the internet for others who may have had dealings with them.
- Do not open suspicious texts, pop-up windows or emails – delete them: If unsure, verify the identity of the contact through an independent source such as a phone book or online search. Don't use the contact details provided in the message sent to you.
- Keep your personal details secure: Put a lock on your mailbox and shred your bills and other important documents before throwing them out. Keep your passwords and pin numbers in a safe place. Be very careful about how much personal information you share on social media sites. Scammers can use your information and pictures to create a fake identity or to target you with a scam.
- Keep your mobile devices and computers secure: Always use password protection, don’t share access with others (including remotely), update security software and back up content. Protect your WiFi network with a password and avoid using public computers or WiFi hotspots to access online banking or provide personal information.
- Choose your passwords carefully: Choose passwords that would be difficult for others to guess and update them regularly. A strong password should include a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols. Don’t use the same password for every account/profile, and don’t share your passwords with anyone.
- Beware of any requests for your details or money: Never send money or give credit card details, online account details or copies of personal documents to anyone you don’t know or trust. Don't agree to transfer money or goods for someone else: money laundering is a criminal offence.
- Be careful when shopping online: Beware of offers that seem too good to be true, and always use an online shopping service that you know and trust.
Source:
www.scamwatch.gov.au
Elder Abuse – Trust your instinct
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is recognised annually on June 15 to raise awareness of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
This year’s Queensland Government campaign “Trust your instinct” is aimed to encourage people to call the Elder Abuse Helpline for confidential advice and support if they are concerned that a friend, family member or neighbour is experiencing elder abuse.
Elder abuse is any act within a relationship of trust which results in harm to an older person. The most common forms of elder abuse include emotional abuse, financial abuse, physical abuse and neglect. Sadly, the majority of abusers are close family members, specifically adult sons or daughters, spouses and other close relations.
In Queensland, the most commonly reported forms of elder abuse are psychological and financial abuse, which can be difficult to recognise. Older people experiencing abuse might be reluctant to acknowledge this type of abuse because they are embarrassed or don’t want to appear ungenerous.
It’s important that elder abuse is recognised as a sometimes forgotten area of domestic and family violence. In responding to elder abuse incidents it is critical to remain vigilant in recognising non-physical abuse as elder abuse.
Remember, you don’t need to see it to believe it. Trust your instinct – call the Elder Abuse Helpline on 1300 651 192 for support and advice.
In an emergency, call Police on Triple Zero (000).
Elder Abuse Helpline, phone 1300 651 192 (Queensland only) or 07 3867 2525 (rest of Australia), Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
For further information on elder abuse visit www.qld.gov.au/trustyourinstinct.
May 2015 - Area Co-ordinators Intro
Just
where has the time gone – we are almost half way through the year,
winter is almost upon us and I just realised that it is now 2 years
since we transitioned across to our electronic version of the
newsletter, supported by a limited print run…
And
speaking of a change is seasons, is it now the perfect time to think
about winter fire safety matters – smoke alarms, heating appliances
& kitchen fire safety.
Our
next meeting is specifically aimed at Kitchen fire safety. Winter may
be the time to cook hearty meals but hot oil in pots and pans is the
cause of many fires originating in the kitchen. Keep a watchful eye
on your cooking and come & hear Geoff’s insights on what we
should be doing to be savvy about fire safety in the heart of the
home.
There
is an article below about a negligent driving fine that is seemingly
issued by the Australian Federal Police. It is a scam. I googled this
scam, it would seem that this scam has been detected far and wide –
Canberra & Townsville to name a couple of targeted locations. Now
the Gold Coast. Be aware and don’t be unwittingly caught!
Until
the next newsletter, stay safe!
Anne Carrigan-Harrip - Area
2 Coordinator
May 2015 - Fake AFP traffic infringements
Be aware – fake AFP Infringement Notices!
Gold
Coast Police have received numerous phone calls very recently in
relation to an AFP Infringement Notice received via email. Gold Coast
Police would like to warn all residents that this is a scam.
The
scam is via an Australian Federal Police traffic fine for negligent
driving. Police advise all residents who received this email to
delete the message immediately.
The
emails ask people to pay a fine of $150 for negligent driving by
clicking on a link. This link may also contain a computer virus.
The AFP never sends out traffic infringement notices via email, so if you have received an email that claims to be from the AFP and have doubt about its authenticity, do not make a payment or provide personal details.
The fake infringement notice features the AFP logo as well as a Commonwealth of Australia 2015 copyright notice.
February 2015 - ACORN: Australian Cyber-crime Online Reporting System
Australian Cyber-crime Online Reporting System - Australia’s latest weapon against Cyber-crime…..
ACORN
is a new national policing initiative of the Commonwealth, State and
Territory government that allows you to easily and securely report
any instances of cyber-crime and it also offers advice to help you
recognise and avoid becoming a victim of cyber-crime.
Cyber-crimes could include such things as hacking, online scams through websites or emails, online fraud, online trading (such as eBay or gumtree) and identity theft just to name a few.
ACORN has been developed in order to ensure that the appropriate agency within Australia receives your information.
You no longer have to attend your local police station to report instances of cyber-crime.
To
assist the Queensland Police Service in gaining a national picture of
the cyber-crime issue and to help prevent and disrupt future criminal
activity please report any instances of cyber-crime via the
website:
Alert - Airlines Flight MH17 tragedy scammers
Beware of scammers taking advantage of the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 tragedy
SCAMwatch is warning Australians to be wary of scammers looking to take advantage of the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 tragedy by setting up fake Facebook pages in the name of victims of the tragedy.
Scammers have set up false Facebook profiles for Australian victims of the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 tragedy in an attempt to make money from people interested in finding out more about this international tragedy. The profiles direct people to a blog, where they are then bombarded with dubious advertisements.
If you click on the advertisement, the scammer can make money from the advertising ‘service’ (where they receive advertising revenue for each click through to a client’s website or product). The blog or advertisement may also be infected with malware, thereby compromising your computer’s security.
Beware – scammers have also been known to take advantage of major news stories including tragedies to seek donations for fake charities. Scammers use social networking platforms to promote these schemes.
If you want to find out more online about the Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17, only use official news sources. Be wary of unverified links posted on social networking sites– unfortunately scammers like to connect with people through these forums too.
Source: Neighbourhood Watch Australasia
Beware of scammers taking advantage of the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 tragedy
July 2014:
SCAMwatch is warning Australians to be wary of scammers looking to take advantage of the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 tragedy by setting up fake Facebook pages in the name of victims of the tragedy.
Scammers have set up false Facebook profiles for Australian victims of the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 tragedy in an attempt to make money from people interested in finding out more about this international tragedy. The profiles direct people to a blog, where they are then bombarded with dubious advertisements.
If you click on the advertisement, the scammer can make money from the advertising ‘service’ (where they receive advertising revenue for each click through to a client’s website or product). The blog or advertisement may also be infected with malware, thereby compromising your computer’s security.
Beware – scammers have also been known to take advantage of major news stories including tragedies to seek donations for fake charities. Scammers use social networking platforms to promote these schemes.
If you want to find out more about the Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17, only use reliable news sources and be particularly wary of links posted on social networking sites– unfortunately scammers like to connect with people through these forums, too.
For more information on donating safely to Australian charities, visit the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission website.
If you have any doubts about an email's source, verify the sender by independent means - use their official contact details to check the email is legitimate before clicking on links or opening attachments.
SCAMwatch is warning Australians to be wary of scammers looking to take advantage of the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 tragedy by setting up fake Facebook pages in the name of victims of the tragedy.
Scammers have set up false Facebook profiles for Australian victims of the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 tragedy in an attempt to make money from people interested in finding out more about this international tragedy. The profiles direct people to a blog, where they are then bombarded with dubious advertisements.
If you click on the advertisement, the scammer can make money from the advertising ‘service’ (where they receive advertising revenue for each click through to a client’s website or product). The blog or advertisement may also be infected with malware, thereby compromising your computer’s security.
Beware – scammers have also been known to take advantage of major news stories including tragedies to seek donations for fake charities. Scammers use social networking platforms to promote these schemes.
If you want to find out more about the Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17, only use reliable news sources and be particularly wary of links posted on social networking sites– unfortunately scammers like to connect with people through these forums, too.
How this scam works
Scam advertising services
- Scammers set up a false Facebook page using the name of a victim of the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 tragedy. The Facebook page directs you to a blog that it purports has information on the Flight MH17 tragedy.
- If you click on the link to the blog, you will be subject to a series of pop-up advertisements.
- If you click on the advertisement, the scammer will then make money from the ‘click-through’ by driving potential customers to a business’s website.
Malware scam
- Alternatively, the site that you are directed to may contain infected ads, which if you click on could cause malware to install on your computer. The scammers may have also set up malware to be downloaded when you click on the link to the blog.
- If a scammer has infected your computer with malware, they may be able to access your personal information stored on the computer, including financial details. They may then be able to use this access to commit identity theft or steal your money.
Charity scam
- You should also be on the lookout for charity scams that may arise out of the flight MH17 tragedy, with scammers often using major news stories as a means to lure donations that they claim will go to helping victims.
- You may receive an email, come across a website, or find a blog or profile on a social media site claiming to raise money for a charity, or affected families.
- If you hand over money to the ‘charity’ or ‘fundraiser’, your money will go straight into the pockets of a scammer and the victims will never receive a cent.
Protect yourself
- If you want to access information about major or breaking news, use a reliable news source rather than an unknown web link or blog – there are many reputable online news sites where you can safely access credible information.
- Always keep your computer security up-to-date with anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and a good firewall. Only buy computer and anti-virus software from a reputable source.
- If you think your computer’s security has been compromised, use your security software to run a virus check. If you still have doubts, contact your anti-virus software provider or a computer specialist.
- If you are considering making a donation to a charity, cause or appeal, approach the organisation directly using their official contact details to make the payment.
- Never give money or your financial details to someone you don’t know - it’s rare to recover money from a scammer.
- If you think that your banking or financial details have been compromised, contact your financial institution immediately.
Report
You can report scams to the ACCC via the SCAMwatch report a scam page or by calling 1300 795 995.More information
SCAMwatch has recently issued alerts on scammers targeting the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH360 tragedy and the 2013 Boston marathon bomb tragedy.For more information on donating safely to Australian charities, visit the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission website.
If you have any doubts about an email's source, verify the sender by independent means - use their official contact details to check the email is legitimate before clicking on links or opening attachments.
MOBILE PHONE SCAMS
Scams that come to you on your mobile can be difficult to recognise. They might come from somebody who talks as if they know you; they might come through a 'missed call' from an unknown number that you redial; or they might be upfront about what they are promoting, but have hidden charges.
You might be offered free or cheap ring tones, or the chance to win fantastic prizes.
When you reply to these messages or calls, you may find yourself disappointed in the product or signed up to a service you don't want or cannot stop. You could be left facing a huge phone bill.
RING TONE SCAMS
Misleading offers for ‘free’ or cheap ring tones that end up being a subscription or premium rate service.
These scams might attract you with an offer for a ‘free’ or low cost ring tone. What you may not realise is that by accepting the offer, you are actually subscribing to a service that will keep sending you ring tones—and charging you a premium rate for them.
MISSED CALLS & TEXT MESSAGES FROM UNKNOWN NUMBERS
Missed call scams start by ringing your phone and hanging up so quickly that you can’t answer the call in time. Your phone registers a missed call and you probably won’t recognise the number. People will often then call the number back to find out who it is. Apart from being a nuisance, the missed call can lead to a scam in two ways:
- The number you call back may be redirected to a premium rate service (a number that starts with 190) without your knowledge, which means you will be charged a lot of money per minute.
- The number may tell you that you have won a prize of some sort and give you another number to call to ‘claim’ your prize, but they may not tell you how much the call will cost. This second number may be a premium rate number, again charging you a lot of money to get your ‘prize’. Your prize may be nothing more than a ring tone subscription—which can also be a scam!
Another common tactic is for a text message to sound like someone flirting with you. Many people reply asking who it is and end up engaging in a lengthy SMS exchange with the scammer. Only later do they find out that they have been charged a high rate both for messages they sent (sometimes there are also charges for messages received as well).
SMS COMPETITION & TRIVIA SCAMS
You are encouraged to enter a competition or trivia contest over SMS for a great prize – but misled about your chances or how much it will cost to take part.
An SMS competition or SMS trivia scam usually arrives as a text message and may encourage you to enter a competition for a great prize. The message could also invite you to take part in a trivia competition, with a great prize on offer.
The scammers make money by charging extremely high rates for the messages you send, and any further messages they send to you. With trivia scams, the first lot of questions will be very easy. This is meant to encourage you to keep playing. However, the last one or two questions that you need to answer to claim your ‘prize’ could be very difficult or impossible to answer correctly (and may even require you to guess a random number).
ROMANCE FRAUD – MEDIA RELEASE
As many Queenslanders continue to fall victim to romance fraud, the Fraud and Cyber Crime Group (FCCG) are issuing a warning to the community.
“Romance fraud continues to be criminal scourge across Queensland and Australian communities. For the first five months of this year Queenslanders averaged sending nearly $1 million in cash every month to Ghana and Nigeria indicating an Australian send of over $30 million, the vast majority of which was romance fraud related.
“The consequences of this fraud being perpetrated can be absolutely devastating, both personally and financially. In some instances victims struggle to recover emotionally and may never recover financially,” Detective Superintendent Brian Hay said.
“Unfortunately, many Queenslanders have fallen victim to this crime, with many complainants having lost in excess of $100,000. The consequences to the victims include acute depression, financial hardship, loss of friends and family as well as suffering physical ailments brought on by the stress of realising they have been defrauded of their life’s savings,” he said.
The FCCG believe that these crimes can be avoided by simply not sending money to any person that you meet on the internet, regardless of how long you have known them and not establishing an online relationship where the person is representing themselves as being overseas and unable to meet in person.
“It is important friends and families play a support role in guiding loved ones through the online dating environment. If a protective network exists around a lonely person who is free and open to discuss their situation as it unfolds there is a greater likelihood that person won’t fall victim to a fraudster.
“Fraudsters will try to isolate the victim from any family or support structure because they know this increases their chances of success,” he said.
How do they do it?
- By creating fake profiles on legitimate internet dating services.
- Approaching you after having developed a profile which will appeal to you (after you have indicated the type of person you’re looking for on your profile).
- They will interrogate you to establish your financial position and support network.
- They will seek to isolate you from your support network and quickly inundate you with a great deal of attention making you feel very special.
- They often claim to be retired servicemen or professionals working overseas in UK, USA or even elsewhere in Australia and will use an attractive photograph in the profile.
- They often have a child to care for – often claimed to be widowed.
- They exploit loneliness and the fear of ageing alone.
- They may take many months, to build what seems like the romance of a lifetime and may even pretend to book flights to visit you, but never actually come. Once they have gained your trust they will ask you (either subtly or directly) for money, gifts or your banking/credit card details.
- Financial hardship;
- To move money, gold or precious metals to Australia;
- To purchase an airline ticket to visit you;
- Visa application processing fee;
- Medical bills for relatives;
- Urgent medical bills for themselves after a severe accident (you may be contacted by the alleged doctor)
- They may also seek to introduce you to a relative or trusted entity who presents you with a unique business investment opportunity which will yield great returns.
- They may seek to send you money and transfer money into your account which they then require you to send back – making you an international money launderer.
- They may seek to make online purchases in Australia and have the goods delivered to your premises for on-forwarding to them – these purchases have been made with compromised credit cards and you become an international property mule.
How to protect yourself
- ALWAYS consider the possibility that the approach may be a scam
- Check their IP address when possible
- Google image or Tineye image search to see if the image has been taken from the internet
- Look for an internet profile
- Ask them to send you a photograph of them holding the local daily paper
- Always confide and discuss your situation with a friend
- Never meet without a friend beside you
- Never send money overseas
- Always seek independent legal and financial advice before investing
- Never disclose bank details to a person you haven’t met
- Never reveal too much personal information
- Never allow your address to be a deliver point for purchases
- Never agree to transfer money
- Don’t trust Skype messages (can be pre-recorded)
- Don’t fall for the fantasy dream
Source:
Phone Scams Warning
The Queensland Police Service Fraud and Cyber Crime Group (FCCG) is warning the public about phone scams as part of National Consumer Fraud Week.
The group has been receiving regular complaints from members of the public after receiving phone calls by people attempting them to defraud them.One very common complaint is a person representing themselves as being from a respected company such as Telstra or Microsoft. The caller tells their intended victim that there is a problem with their computer that requires the caller to remotely log into the victims’ computer to fix the alleged problem.
The caller informs the victim that there is indeed a problem with their computer and because they are outside the warranty they will be able to service the issue for a fee. This fee may vary from $100 to $600 and payment is requested via credit card.
Once the caller is given access to the computer by the victim, they may install malicious software on the computer that gives access to the computer at any time, and allows them to capture sensitive usernames and passwords that can be used to access the victims’ accounts such as banking, finance, web based email or their place of work. These callers will generally have a foreign accent – typically Indian.
Queenslanders have also been receiving calls from persons offering investment opportunities in arbitrage systems, stocks or betting programs offering high yield returns.
“People are often sent professionally produced glossy brochures, are elevated through the investment program to more senior account managers, and may even be granted their own online account which allows the investor to log in and view their investment portfolio generating income and performing well – allegedly. This online viewing instills confidence in the investor who may then introduce friends and relatives to the opportunity and it is not uncommon for investors to borrow against their mortgage to increase their investment.
“When receiving unsolicited calls strongly considering terminating the call. If you do engage in conversation take their name and number, do some online research and call them back. Do not take comfort simply by the fact the number commences with 02 or 03 it may still very much be a fraudster on the other end of the phone call,” Detective Superintendent Hay of the Fraud and Cyber Crime Group warns, “
The Office of Fair Trading is involved in this year’s National Consumer Fraud Week and advises consumers to know who they’re dealing with.
Fair Trading Executive Director Brian Bauer states, “Never provide personal, credit card or online details over the phone unless you made the call. Scammers often pose as well-known and reputable businesses to try to convince you that they’re the real deal.”
Any investment entity should be checked with ASIC to ensure they hold the appropriate license, again check the internet for adverse comments and ALWAYS seek independent legal and financial advice prior to making any investment decision.
More information about National Consumer Fraud Week can be found at www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au.
Contact the Fraud and Cyber Crime Group if you wish to discuss your circumstances on 3364 6622.
Source:
myPolice Gold Coast
ATM skimmers
There has been some discussion about the possibility of ATM skimmers being used in the local area.
Skimmers can take a number of forms ranging from pocket sized units that can be used to copy a credit card to ATM skimmers.
Usual components of ATM skimmers can include false keypads, miniature cameras and false card entry slots. All of these components are made to look like a normal part of the ATM.
Some skimmers may include a wireless transmitter or phone so the crooks can collect your details from a distance, others will be physically removed from the ATM after a few days.
Once the bad guys have your card details they are able to make a clone of your card which they can use themselves.
Queensland Police have posted an informative video on the subject of ATM skimmers that is well worth watching:
Advice from the video:
If you do find a skimming device, contact Police or CrimeStoppers, contact the bank and try not to handle the device any more than necessary(the bad guys may have left fingerprints).
Keep an eye on your bank accounts and report any suspicious activity immediately - try to make sure you have sufficient money or another credit card for the next few days as the card will be cancelled and a new one issued.
The Commonwealth Bank has a good guide on ATM skimmers with pictures of skimmers found in the wild: https://www.commbank.com.au/personal/apply-online/download-printed-forms/ATM_awareness_guide.pdf
(requires Adobe Acrobat or another PDF viewer)
Scamwatch Advice on Card Skimming: http://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/tag/CardSkimming
Skimmers can take a number of forms ranging from pocket sized units that can be used to copy a credit card to ATM skimmers.
Usual components of ATM skimmers can include false keypads, miniature cameras and false card entry slots. All of these components are made to look like a normal part of the ATM.
Some skimmers may include a wireless transmitter or phone so the crooks can collect your details from a distance, others will be physically removed from the ATM after a few days.
Once the bad guys have your card details they are able to make a clone of your card which they can use themselves.
Queensland Police have posted an informative video on the subject of ATM skimmers that is well worth watching:
Advice from the video:
- Look for people acting suspiciously
- Wiggle and look for holes in the card entry point
- Look for holes in the fascia plate
- Make sure the pinpad is secure
- Cover your hand
If you do find a skimming device, contact Police or CrimeStoppers, contact the bank and try not to handle the device any more than necessary(the bad guys may have left fingerprints).
Keep an eye on your bank accounts and report any suspicious activity immediately - try to make sure you have sufficient money or another credit card for the next few days as the card will be cancelled and a new one issued.
The Commonwealth Bank has a good guide on ATM skimmers with pictures of skimmers found in the wild: https://www.commbank.com.au/personal/apply-online/download-printed-forms/ATM_awareness_guide.pdf
(requires Adobe Acrobat or another PDF viewer)
Scamwatch Advice on Card Skimming: http://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/tag/CardSkimming
May 2014 - Police News
The Tamborine Mountain Police Division has recently seen an increase in computer fraud related matters. In particular, members of the public receiving emails or phone calls from telcos identifying themselves as Telstra or Windows or Microsoft.
The scammers are requesting you make contact due to a problem identified with your computer. The scam is all about you feeling vulnerable and needing to fix that problem.
The scammer will tempt you to provide personal identifying particulars including bank details to rectify the computer issue. Please be aware of these scams and do not get duped. To report any such scams please report to www.scamwatch.gov.au or Phone 1300795995.
As you will see our crime stats are down on previous months. Surprisingly with a spike in more offences involving steal from motor vehicles. Please be reminded to secure your vehicle at all times, even if your vehicle is parked in the front yard or in the carport.
Although we live in a great part of the world, we can’t forget we still have nasty people taking the opportunity to steal from others, especially from unlocked motor vehicles. It’s all about not getting complacent.
Most of the break and enters we found offenders breaking into homes to steal vehicle keys. These offenders have been finding it much easier to enter someone’s home to steal the car keys which are normally hanging on a hook or on the kitchen table allowing them to easily steal your vehicle. The reasoning behind this theory is that ever increasing security and immobilisers fitted to most late model vehicles have made it harder for offenders to steal. The best preventative strategy is to make it a lot harder for anyone. We recommend you secure your vehicle, lock your house and hide your car keys discreetly within your home, well out of sight.
To report any non-urgent reportable matters please call our PoliceLink number PH: 131 444. This number is manned 24 hours. If you have any questions to ask us, come along to the next Neighbourhood Watch meeting is at 1.30pm on Wednesday 28th May at the Golf Club.
Stay safe - from the Boys in Blue!
Senior Constable Grant Miers
The scammer will tempt you to provide personal identifying particulars including bank details to rectify the computer issue. Please be aware of these scams and do not get duped. To report any such scams please report to www.scamwatch.gov.au or Phone 1300795995.
As you will see our crime stats are down on previous months. Surprisingly with a spike in more offences involving steal from motor vehicles. Please be reminded to secure your vehicle at all times, even if your vehicle is parked in the front yard or in the carport.
Although we live in a great part of the world, we can’t forget we still have nasty people taking the opportunity to steal from others, especially from unlocked motor vehicles. It’s all about not getting complacent.
Most of the break and enters we found offenders breaking into homes to steal vehicle keys. These offenders have been finding it much easier to enter someone’s home to steal the car keys which are normally hanging on a hook or on the kitchen table allowing them to easily steal your vehicle. The reasoning behind this theory is that ever increasing security and immobilisers fitted to most late model vehicles have made it harder for offenders to steal. The best preventative strategy is to make it a lot harder for anyone. We recommend you secure your vehicle, lock your house and hide your car keys discreetly within your home, well out of sight.
To report any non-urgent reportable matters please call our PoliceLink number PH: 131 444. This number is manned 24 hours. If you have any questions to ask us, come along to the next Neighbourhood Watch meeting is at 1.30pm on Wednesday 28th May at the Golf Club.
Stay safe - from the Boys in Blue!
Senior Constable Grant Miers
Beware – energy bill scams on the rise
SCAMwatch is warning consumers to be on the lookout for energy billing scams currently doing the rounds.
A new phishing email pretending to be from reputable energy companies is currently circulating, which claims you owe money for an outstanding gas or electricity bill. The email will ask you to click on a link to view or update your account and arrange payment via money transfer. If you click on the link, you risk infecting your computer with malware and having your personal information stolen. If you pay this ‘bill’ via money transfer, you will never see your money again.
Beware – reports have also been received about scammers approaching consumers via phone, SMS and post.
Don’t let scammers raise the temperature of your heating bill in the lead-up to winter – if you receive an email out of the blue from someone claiming that you owe their company money for an outstanding energy bill, press delete.
How the scam works
- You receive an email out of the blue from someone claiming to be from a reputable energy company, informing you that you owe money for 2013 energy usage.
- The email may appear to come from an official part of the energy company such as the ‘Accounts Payable’, ‘Receivable Department’ or the ‘Accounts Receivable Team’. The email may even have all the trademarks of a bill – it may state that it is a gas or electricity bill, and include a fake account number, account summary, billing period details and due date for payment. However, on closer inspection, the email may contain spelling and grammatical errors – a tell-tale sign that something is amiss.
- The email may claim that the reason for the outstanding amount is that you have exceeded your energy consumption limit. It may even claim that you are eligible to use a discounted energy tariff to pay the bill if you click on the link.
- The email directs you to click on an embedded link, attachment or zip file to access your account and view your statement, and then direct you to a money transfer service with instructions on how to pay the bill.
- If you click the link or attachment, your computer may be infected with malicious software and your identity compromised. If you transfer money, you’ll never see it again.
Protect yourself
- If you receive an email out of the blue from someone claiming that you owe money for outstanding energy usage – just press ‘delete’.
- If you’re not sure whether an email is a scam, verify who they are by using their official contact details to call them directly. Never use contact details provided by the sender – find them through an independent source such as a phone book or online search.
- Watch out for tell-tale signs – whilst the sender may claim to be from an official source, their email may contain spelling mistakes or use poor grammar.
- Never click on links or open attachments in an email from an unverified sender – they may contain a malicious virus.
- Keep your computer secure – always update your firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and only buy from a verified source. If you think your computer’s security has been compromised, use your security software to run a virus check. If you still have doubts, contact your anti-virus software provider or a computer specialist.
- Never send money to someone you don’t know and trust – it’s rare to recover money from a scammer. If you think you have provided your account details to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately.
Report
You can report scams to the ACCC via the report a scam page on SCAMwatch or by calling 1300 795 995.
Identity Theft Message from Neighbourhood Watch Australasia
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SCAMwatch: Automated scam calls claiming to be from Qantas with bogus holiday win
SCAMwatch and Qantas are warning people about automated calls from scammers posing as Qantas staff claiming that they’ve won a credit towards their next holiday. If you receive this call, hang up.
Reports have been received from both consumers and businesses about these scam calls, where the recipient picks up the phone and hears a recorded message that claims to be from Qantas. The message will claim that because the person has recently booked a flight with Qantas, they have won a ‘travel prize’ or ‘credit points’ – typically $999 – towards their next holiday.
In order to redeem the credit, the person is directed to press ‘1’. At this point, the person is put directly through to a scammer, who will then state that in order to be eligible for the prize, the person has to ask a few questions first. The scammer may ask whether the person is aged over 30, whether they have a valid credit card, and finally ask for their credit card details so that the prize can be processed.
If you hand over your credit card details, you will find that money has been taken rather than deposited from your bank account.
These scammers appear to be persistent, with some consumers and businesses reporting that they have received several of these calls in one day. Unfortunately scammers pay no heed to private phone numbers or numbers listed on the Do Not Call Register, so if you have a number like this, you can still expect to receive this call.
Qantas advises that their consultants will always call customers directly to discuss their bookings and do not use an automated phone system when contacting customers proactively.
Qantas also advises that you or your business may not even be a customer of Qantas and still receive this scam call.
Scammers often pose as well-known and reputable businesses to try and convince you that they’re the real deal – if you receive an automated call out of the blue claiming to be from Qantas, just hang up.
Stay one step ahead of scammers – follow @SCAMwatch_gov on Twitter or visit http://twitter.com/SCAMwatch_gov.
Reports have been received from both consumers and businesses about these scam calls, where the recipient picks up the phone and hears a recorded message that claims to be from Qantas. The message will claim that because the person has recently booked a flight with Qantas, they have won a ‘travel prize’ or ‘credit points’ – typically $999 – towards their next holiday.
In order to redeem the credit, the person is directed to press ‘1’. At this point, the person is put directly through to a scammer, who will then state that in order to be eligible for the prize, the person has to ask a few questions first. The scammer may ask whether the person is aged over 30, whether they have a valid credit card, and finally ask for their credit card details so that the prize can be processed.
If you hand over your credit card details, you will find that money has been taken rather than deposited from your bank account.
These scammers appear to be persistent, with some consumers and businesses reporting that they have received several of these calls in one day. Unfortunately scammers pay no heed to private phone numbers or numbers listed on the Do Not Call Register, so if you have a number like this, you can still expect to receive this call.
Qantas advises that their consultants will always call customers directly to discuss their bookings and do not use an automated phone system when contacting customers proactively.
Qantas also advises that you or your business may not even be a customer of Qantas and still receive this scam call.
Scammers often pose as well-known and reputable businesses to try and convince you that they’re the real deal – if you receive an automated call out of the blue claiming to be from Qantas, just hang up.
How this scam works
- You receive a phone call out of the blue to your mobile, home or work phone and, when you answer, it goes straight to an automated message claiming to be from Qantas.
- If you have recently flown or booked with Qantas, the recorded message may sound like it’s the real deal as the caller thanks you for choosing Qantas and claims that you have been chosen to receive $999 in a ‘travel prize’, ‘credit points’ or even ‘frequent flyer points’ towards your next trip.
- The automated message will direct you to press ‘1’ to find out more information.
- If you dial ‘1’, you will be put directly through to someone claiming to be a representative of Qantas. The caller may congratulate you on your win before stating that you must answer a series of questions in order to qualify for the prize. The caller will typically ask whether you are aged over 30, have a valid credit card, and then finally ask for your credit card details in order to process the prize.
- If you hand over your credit card details, you will find that money has been taken rather than deposited from your bank account.
Protect yourself
- If you receive an automated phone call out of the blue claiming to be from Qantas, just hang up.
- If you have doubts about the identity of any caller who claims to represent a business, organisation or government department, contact the body directly. Don’t rely on contact details provided by the person – find them through an independent source such as a phone book or online search. You can contact the official Qantas Contact Centre on 13 13 13.
- Remember that you can still receive scam calls even if you have a private number or have listed your number on the Australian Government’s Do Not Call Register. Scammers can obtain your number fraudulently or from anywhere it has been publicly listed such as in a phone book.
- Never give your personal, credit card or online account details over the phone unless you made the call and the phone number came from a trusted source.
- If you think you have provided your account details to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately.
Report
You can report scams to the ACCC via the SCAMwatch report a scam page or by calling 1300 795 995.More information
Qantas has posted a statement about this activity on its News Room, ‘Scam phone calls purporting to be from Qantas’.Stay one step ahead of scammers – follow @SCAMwatch_gov on Twitter or visit http://twitter.com/SCAMwatch_gov.
Be aware - Scammers pretending to be from Telstra Technical Support continue cold-calling...
March 2014:
SCAMwatch and Telstra are warning consumers to hang up the phone if they receive a call out of the blue from someone claiming there is a problem with their internet connection or computer.
Recent months have seen a surge in reports of scammers calling people at home and raising a false alarm that they are at risk of their internet being disconnected immediately, as their computer has been hacked or infected with malware and is threatening Telstra’s internet infrastructure. The caller claims that they are able to fix the problem on the spot, however a fee for this service will need to be paid and the person will also need to download software that will allow the caller remote access to their computer.
If the person resists or questions the scammer, they up the ante. Scammers have reportedly threatened to sue people for putting Telstra’s infrastructure at risk. When the person has requested proof that they are a Telstra rep, scammers have given out a fake number for Telstra which, when the consumer calls, puts them back on the line with the scammer. These scammers are also well-versed at creating a sense of urgency to incite fear and anxiety that your device has been compromised and must be fixed immediately.
If you provide your credit card details and give remote access to your computer, the scammer may not only take more than the stated ‘fee’, but also infect your computer to gain access to your personal information and commit other acts of fraud.
Scammers often pose as well-known and reputable businesses to try and convince you that they’re the real deal, with Telstra a popular target. Scammers pretending to be from Telstra have been known to switch consumers to another service provider that the consumer did not knowingly agree to. Scammers don’t just fish for your details over the phone; they also send phishing emails pretending to be from Telstra or BigPond® to try to get you to hand over your account details, or to click on a link or open a document infected with malware. The ‘Yellow Pages’ directory scam has also targeted Australian small businesses, with scammers deceiving them to sign up to an online business directory service that falsely claims to be affiliated with Sensis and Telstra.
Watch out – scammers know how to press your buttons when they get you on the phone. If you receive a call out of the blue from someone claiming to represent Telstra and they ask for access to your computer, just hang up.
How this scam works
SCAMwatch and Telstra are warning consumers to hang up the phone if they receive a call out of the blue from someone claiming there is a problem with their internet connection or computer.
Recent months have seen a surge in reports of scammers calling people at home and raising a false alarm that they are at risk of their internet being disconnected immediately, as their computer has been hacked or infected with malware and is threatening Telstra’s internet infrastructure. The caller claims that they are able to fix the problem on the spot, however a fee for this service will need to be paid and the person will also need to download software that will allow the caller remote access to their computer.
If the person resists or questions the scammer, they up the ante. Scammers have reportedly threatened to sue people for putting Telstra’s infrastructure at risk. When the person has requested proof that they are a Telstra rep, scammers have given out a fake number for Telstra which, when the consumer calls, puts them back on the line with the scammer. These scammers are also well-versed at creating a sense of urgency to incite fear and anxiety that your device has been compromised and must be fixed immediately.
If you provide your credit card details and give remote access to your computer, the scammer may not only take more than the stated ‘fee’, but also infect your computer to gain access to your personal information and commit other acts of fraud.
Scammers often pose as well-known and reputable businesses to try and convince you that they’re the real deal, with Telstra a popular target. Scammers pretending to be from Telstra have been known to switch consumers to another service provider that the consumer did not knowingly agree to. Scammers don’t just fish for your details over the phone; they also send phishing emails pretending to be from Telstra or BigPond® to try to get you to hand over your account details, or to click on a link or open a document infected with malware. The ‘Yellow Pages’ directory scam has also targeted Australian small businesses, with scammers deceiving them to sign up to an online business directory service that falsely claims to be affiliated with Sensis and Telstra.
Watch out – scammers know how to press your buttons when they get you on the phone. If you receive a call out of the blue from someone claiming to represent Telstra and they ask for access to your computer, just hang up.
How this scam works
- You receive a phone call out of the blue from someone claiming to be a representative of Telstra or Telstra BigPond®. They may sound like the real deal, claiming to be from ‘Telstra Technical Support’ and using technical jargon.
- The caller claims that you need to take immediate action to avoid your internet connection being terminated or disconnected, as your computer has been hacked or infected with malware and is threatening Telstra’s internet infrastructure.
- In order to fix the problem, the caller will claim that you will need to pay them a service fee (typically around $10) to have a specialist look at your computer. They will also ask you to download a software program so that they can gain remote access to your computer and run a scan.
- The scammer may initially sound professional and knowledgeable, however they will be very persistent and may become abusive if you don’t do what they ask. They may even threaten to sue you for putting Telstra’s internet infrastructure at risk.
- If you provide your financial details or give remote access, you might find a lot more money taken out of your bank account than you agreed to, with some victims reporting losing over $5,000 from multiple withdrawals. Your computer may also be infected with malicious software, giving scammers access to your personal details stored on the device (including bank account information).
- Note: you don’t have to be a Telstra customer to be called by these scammers. You don’t even have to own a computer!
- If you receive a phone call out of the blue from someone claiming to be a representative of Telstra and their call relates to a problem with your internet connection, just hang up.
- If you have doubts about the identity of any caller who claims to represent a business, organisation or government department, contact the body directly. Don’t rely on contact details provided by the person – find them through an independent source such as a phone book or online search.
- Remember that you can still receive scam calls even if you have a private number or have listed your number on the Australian Government’s Do Not Call Register. Scammers can obtain your number fraudulently or from anywhere it has been publicly listed such as in a phone book.
- Don’t let scammers press your buttons – scammers use detailed scripts to convince you that they’re the real deal and create a high pressure situation to make a decision on the spot.
- Always keep your computer security up to date with anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and a good firewall. Only buy computer and anti-virus software from a reputable source.
- Never give your personal, credit card or online account details over the phone unless you made the call and the phone number came from a trusted source.
- Never give a stranger remote access to your computer, even if they claim to be from a reputable business.
- If you think your computer’s security has been compromised, use your security software to run a virus check. If you still have doubts, contact your anti-virus software provider or a computer specialist.
- If you think you have provided your account details to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately.
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