Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, is reminding local residents to be on the look-out for scams with Consumer Affairs Victoria receiving more than 6,770 reports of scams in the last financial year, up from around 4,700 reports in 2009-2010.
“Scammers often pose as legitimate institutions, pretending to be from companies such as Microsoft or Sensis Yellow Pages or government agencies including the Australian Tax Office, the Department of Treasury and even Consumer Affairs Victoria,” said Mr Bull.
“Victims of scams are diverse, but seniors who live alone are especially vulnerable and might respond to a scam letter out of loneliness, or to a busy small business owner who accidentally pays a fake invoice.
“Scams can be very difficult to identify from the real thing so consumers need to educate themselves about the tactics scammers may use to deceive them,” said Mr Bull.
Tips to avoid a scam:
Don't respond to unsolicited e-mails, texts or phone calls requesting personal information from anyone you don’t know or trust.
Check your bank and credit card account statements regularly.
Always look up phone numbers in an independent directory when you wish to check if a request or offer is genuine.
Remember that even an offer that looks enticing or genuine could still be a scam.
"Consumers who receive unsolicited requests for personal details or an upfront payment should always ask themselves if it could be a scam. These could come in the form of an offer a pre-approved credit card, an apparent inheritance or a fabulous prize or holiday.
“Anyone who thinks they’ve been approached by a scammer should report it. Authorities rely on the information that you provide to warn others about the scams out there,” said Mr Bull.
Minister for Consumer Affairs, Michael O’Brien, said scammers were constantly finding new ways to con innocent people out of their hard earned dollars.
For further information or to dob-in-a-scam call 1300 55 81 81 or visit www.consumer.vic.gov.au to try out Consumer Affairs Victoria's online scams quiz.
