Fraud Week 2017 - spot social media scams

Can you spot a social media scam? In 2016 more people than ever reported to the ACCC that they lost money to scams through social networking sites. In 2015 $3.5 million dollars was lost to social media scams. In 2016, more than $9.5 million was reported lost. This National Consumer Fraud Week (15–19 May), the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce is providing information to help social media users learn how to spot scams. Two common scams you might encounter while using social media are dating and romance scams and fake trader scams. Dating and romance scams Dating and romance scams on social media cheated Australians out of more than $7.5 million in 2016. Social media is now the most common contact method used by romance scammers. Romance scammers on social media create fake profiles using other people’s photos and then send out many friend invitations in hopes of finding a catch. Scammers are using social media because, like dating sites, people share a lot of information about themselves on their profiles – this allows scammers to shape their approach to appear more genuine. If you receive an invitation on social media out of the blue, there are a number of signs to look out for which should help you spot dating and romance scammers.

Dating & romance scams

Fake trader scams Scammers also often advertise their fake websites and products on social media. Fake traders advertise their fake products through social media just like normal businesses, using ads or posts. These products will always be discounted, attractive offers. The ads will direct you to a website where you can make the purchase but nothing turns up or a fake product arrives.

Fake trader scams

Protect yourself It can be hard to tell the difference between genuine profiles or ads on social media and the fake profiles or fake traders you may encounter. So here are some tips for staying safe and spotting social media scams: Check the profile of new friend requests, especially if you have only met the person online. Look out for: new profiles with limited content hidden friend lists or friend lists full of people of the opposite gender profiles that read like a dating profile grammar and spelling errors. Don’t send money to someone you’ve never met in person. Be cautious when sharing personal pictures or videos with someone, especially if you’ve never met them before in person. Scammers are known to blackmail their targets using compromising material. Check reviews before buying online. Try to find how reputable a seller is by searching for reviews. If the product doesn’t arrive, contact your bank or financial institution as soon as possible. Check the website URL (for example, www.example.com.au) that you are redirected to is the genuine website of the trader. People may be able to see more about you than you realise on social media. When you use social networking sites, be careful who you connect with and learn how to use your privacy and security settings to ensure you stay safe. If you have been scammed online, take steps to secure your account and be sure to report the conduct to the platform. Source: ACCC - Scamwatch

Scamwatch radar alert: Australians lost nearly $300 million to scams in 2016

Australians lost nearly $300 million to scams in 2016

The number of people reporting scam activity in Australia was at record levels in 2016 according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s annual Targeting Scams report, with a 47 per cent increase in scam reports to the ACCC compared to 2015. In 2016, the ACCC’s Scamwatch and the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN) received a combined 200,000 reports about scams. Losses reported to Scamwatch, ACORN and other scam disruption programs totalled $299.8 million. Australians aged over 55 accounted for 45 per cent of reports to Scamwatch. Investment scams accounted for the most losses with combined reports to Scamwatch and ACORN totalling $59 million. Dating and romance scams accounted for the next highest losses, with a combined $42 million lost. The ACCC’s Targeting Scams report has been released to launch the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce’s Fraud Week. This year’s theme, ‘Spot social media scams’, aims to create awareness among Australians about new social media scams that are being reported, what to look for and how people can avoid being scammed. “This Fraud Week, we’re asking the millions of Australians who use social media to be aware that scammers are increasingly using social media platforms as a way to contact, trick and prey upon the unsuspecting,” ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said. “We have witnessed a sharp increase in scams taking place through social media sites. It can be really hard to tell who’s genuine and who’s fake these days.” The two most common social media scams Australians reported to Scamwatch were dating and romance and fake trader scams. Around 30 per cent of dating and romance scam victims (1352 people) who reported to Scamwatch were contacted via social media sites, in particular Facebook. “Dating and romance scammers trick their victims into falling in love with them and then use their victim’s trust to deceitfully take their money,” Ms Rickard said. “If someone you’ve met through social media but you’ve never met in person asks you for money, your alarm bells should be ringing. Don’t ever wire transfer or send money to someone you don’t know because you won’t see it again.” Fake trader scams are also on the increase. Victims often report seeing advertisements for online stores on social media selling discounted products made by well-known brands. These online stores are fake and the products victims think they are buying don’t exist. Ms Rickard said this type of scam is even harder to spot, but there are some tips people can use. “Wherever you see an offer that seems more generous than normal, do your research on the company, where the product is coming from, check the company’s website and try and find any reviews about the business before making a purchase. Only pay using secure payment methods such as Paypal or a credit card,” Ms Rickard said. Ms Rickard said the majority of reports to Scamwatch about scams via social media were taking place on Facebook. “The ACCC is working with Facebook, as well as the major banks, MoneyGram, Paypal, Western Union and Apple to better tackle scams and reduce the harm experienced by consumers,” Ms Rickard said. Protect yourself                    The best defence against scams is education and awareness. Consumers concerned about scams should visit www.scamwatch.gov.au to keep up to date with scams to look out for, report scam activity, and get information about what to do if they become a scam victim. Here they can also read about Fraud Week 2017 and also check out two videos for the campaign. Source: ACCC

Our Next Area Meeting....

When:             7.00 pm, Tuesday 30 May, 2017

Where:           St George’s Anglican Church Hall,

Eagle Heights

Topic:             Domestic Violence - the DV cycle,

                        what police can do and available

                        support agencies

Speaker:        Qld Police Personnel    

ALL MOUNTAIN RESIDENTS ARE VERY WELCOME!

Area Coordinators Introduction

Welcome to our 2^nd newsletter of 2017.

It is now been one year since we have been holding the quarterly meetings in the hall at St George’s Church. NHW is a community effort aimed at benefiting all who live on our beautiful mountain. Please show your support if you have the time to do so - your support will help ensure the continued existence of our Group.

Each quarter we publish the local Crime statistics. One crime statistic that is not published, and to which, sadly, no community is immune, is that of domestic or family violence. 

Making the community a safe place is everyone’s responsibility and it is important to raise awareness about domestic violence, and to encourage people affected by domestic violence to seek help and report it.

I would encourage your attendance at our upcoming meeting where this important issue will be front & centre for discussion.

Until the next newsletter, stay safe!

Anne Carrigan-Harrip - Area Coordinator

Tamborine Mountain Volunteers in Policing

Our Volunteers in Policing, Garry and Marianne are happy to assist with Home Security Audits, checks on vacant premises and one-way number plate screws.

If you are planning on going away - please be sure to let Garry & Marianne know so that your property can be periodically patrolled in your absence.

Just ring the Police Station on 5545-3473 for any enquiries or bookings.

Police News

To all those who attended the recent ANZAC day commemorations on the April 25, especially in Main Street, I say thank you for your attendance, the old diggers (and the younger diggers too) will always appreciate that Australians acknowledge their courage, sacrifice and service.  ANZAC day is universally special to most Australians and New Zealanders.  Also thank you to the many drivers who were directed to road detours during those commemorations, I thank you for your patience.  The crowds have increased so much that we must close roads and set up detours for the safety of all.

Now to comment on something distinctly Un-Australian:

The crime stats for February through to the end of April are out.  The majority of offences reported are Break and Enter (B&E) of dwellings.  Wilful damage reports are down to one only in the reporting period and there is one “shop stealing” offence recorded.  The offence of shop steal is usually an offence whereby less than $150 of goods is stolen by an offender. 

On the Mountain it appears this offence is reported rarely and this is probably due to many shops and businesses on the mountain having CCTV recording capability and shop assistants being vigilant at work.  And you would be amazed at the quality of the cameras in the IGA shopping centre carpark for instance. 

Some incidences of stealing from road side stalls have occurred in recent times, usually this is as a result of the offender putting a much smaller amount of money in the cash tin compared to the amount of goods taken.  Many of our local stallholders have CCTV as well.

Vigilant neighbours are also a good source of information for police attending an offence location for a scene examination.  A part of any investigation for a B & E offence will involve police talking with neighbours and the complainant.  Some neighbours recall registered numbers of vehicles observed in the area at the reported time of crimes being committed, some even take photos, and some neighbours have even recorded dash cam video.  The more information we can collect the better our chances are of catching thieves, putting them in front of the Magistrates and having stolen property returned to rightful owners.

If a Scenes of Crime Officer (SOCO) is tasked to attend your address, evidence may be collected in the form of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) which can include samples of blood, skin, hair or saliva.  Fingerprints and professional photographs are also taken of the crime scene including damage caused by the offenders.  If you are at home when the SOCO attends the crime scene, watch them and have a look at what they do for a living, it is quite interesting.  But in all honesty I hope they never have to attend your home.

There will be a police presentation on Domestic Violence at our next NHW meeting on 30 May 2017 and your attendance as we talk about this very important issue is encouraged.

Constable Pete BLUNDELL
NHW Liaison Officer

Local Crime Stats 01-02-17 to 30-04-17

18/02/2017          Stealing Motor Vehicle   Tamborine Mountain Rd

28/02/2017          Shop Stealing                   Southport Ave

01/03/2017          Stealing                             Long Rd

02/03/2017          Break & Enter                   Kalmia Ct

07/03/2017          Break & Enter                   The Shelf Rd

08/03/2017          Stealing                             Macdonnell Rd

10/03/2017          Steal From Vehicle           Cedar Creek Falls Rd

15/03/2017          Break & Enter                   Kootenai Dve

15/03/2017          Steal From Vehicle           Beaudesert St

17/03/2017          Break & Enter                   Main Western Rd

17/03/2017          Break & Enter                   Staghorn Rd

03/04/2017          Break & Enter                   Macdonnell Rd 

05/04/2017          Steal From Vehicle            Main St

09/04/2017          Break & Enter                    Alpine Tce

10/04/2017          Steal From Vehicle             Cedar Creek Falls Rd

12/04/2017          Break & Enter                     Contour Rd

12/04/2017          Stealing                               Wongawallan Rd

21/04/2017          Steal From Business           Main Western Rd

21/04/2017          Steal From Business           Main Western Rd

22/04/2017          Wilful Damage                   Tamborine National Park

24/04/2017          Break & Enter                    Long Rd

24/04/2017          Break & Enter                    Holt Rd

25/04/2017          Break & Enter                    Capo Lane

28/04/2017          Break & Enter                    Ocola Dr

29/04/2017          Break & Enter                    Morell St

29/04/2017          Stealing                              Java Ct

29/04/2017          Stealing                              Cedar Creek Falls Rd

Happy National Volunteer Week 8 – 14 May 2017 to all NHW Members!!

National Volunteer Week is an annual celebration to acknowledge the generous contribution of our nation’s volunteers.

The involvement and support of our fantastic volunteers is what maintains NHW and other vital community programs. 

We appreciate and thank you for your willing commitment

Now is the time to check your heating appliances!

With the cooler temperatures now making starting to make their presence felt please take the time to perform safety checks on any heating appliances before use and if you have not already done so, please carry out an annual check on your smoke alarm batteries.

Stay warm, stay safe!

Queensland Domestic Violence Web Link

http://qlddomesticviolencelink.org.au/dv-connect/

Queensland Domestic Violence Web Link (Qld DV Link) is a web-based directory of Queensland support services for people affected by domestic violence.

Qld DV Link grew from a concept for a locally-based directory of services proposed by the Logan and Beaudesert Integrated Community Response group. Through funding provided by Community Crime Prevention Fund (Community Safety and Crime Prevention Branch, Queensland Police Service) the initial concept was extended to a state-wide information service