Minister for Tourism and Fair Trading
The Honourable Peter Lawlor
01/03/2010
Fraud Week warning on scams
JOINT RELEASE
Minister for Fair Trading Peter Lawlor and Police Minister Neil Roberts have urged Queenslanders to take care when disclosing their personal and financial details for the launch of National Consumer Fraud Week which starts today.
Fraud Week, which will run from 1 - 7 March, aims to raise awareness about the serious threat to personal identity and financial security caused by scams and the increase of attacks being carried out online.
Mr Lawlor said thousands of Australians fell victim to scams each year.
"The Office of Fair Trading received 2173 complaints relating to scams in 2009," Mr Lawlor said.
"This is an increase of more than 800 compared to 2008.
"1 in 20 Australians will be scammed this year, with consumers set to lose more than $1 billion."
Mr Roberts said the impact of fraud on the community was often underestimated.
"Advances in technology have provided more opportunities for offenders to prey on the most vulnerable members of our community," Mr Roberts said.
"While the Internet is a powerful communication tool, offenders have adapted to it quickly and are now using it en masse to target victims via text message and email.
"We see victims suffer not only embarrassment and humiliation but too many are losing their home and life savings.
"The Queensland Police Service's expert Fraud and Corporate Crime Group has a number of initiatives aimed at preventing this crime and educating the public on how to avoid becoming a cyber crime victim."
Mr Lawlor said scams could target anyone and were increasingly reaching people's homes from multiple sources - including through the post, email, door-to-door and over the phone.
"Unfortunately many scam victims don't report their experience because they feel humiliated when they realise they have been duped, and they'd rather bear the amount of money they have lost out of fear of embarrassment.
"I encourage all Queenslanders to be wary of offers they receive that are in the 'too good to be true category'.
"Victims come from all walks of life and a range of ages. Younger people aren't immune to being tricked.
"The best thing people can do with something they think might be a scam is to throw it in the bin.
"Scammers are manipulative and make a living from lying to consumers by promising easy money, great prizes and offering a way out of financial hardship.
"They promote professional looking websites, letters, brochures, emails and leaflets to dupe consumers into providing their personal details like their credit card number or password.
"The best way to protect yourself from scams is to know the warning signs and be able to identify when a product or offer doesn't seem quite right.
"Always be wary of high pressure sales tactics, unsolicited offers, and promises that seem too good to be true."
Mr Lawlor said the Fraud Week campaign was an important national initiative.
"The Office of Fair Trading, as a member of the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce, is committed to bringing about a greater knowledge and understanding of scams among consumers."
For more information on protecting yourself from scams, visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or www.scamwatch.gov.au
