Scams cost Australians hundreds of millions of dollars every year, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
To help Australians protect themselves, the ACCC has produced The little black book of scams. In this article we explore the most common scams to look out for, and how to protect yourself.
The top scams to avoid
Scammers are getting smarter, using increasingly sophisticated techniques, and creating convincing stories that persuade their victims to hand over their money or personal details. While many scams are cyber-enabled, others use more traditional communication techniques.
Below we explore some of the most common scams as outlined by the ACCC.
Dating and romance scams
How the scam works
Scammers create fake profiles on dating websites or social media platforms using photos and identities often stolen from other people. They use these profiles to establish a relationship with you, then asking for money to help with a problem they are facing. The scammer usually claims to be overseas and may even send you small gifts to establish trust.
How to protect yourself
- Never give your money or personal details to someone you have never met in person.
- Be weary if someone asks you to communicate outside the dating website or social media platform after only a few contacts.
- Do an image search to determine if the person is really who they say they are.
- Be cautious when sharing intimate pictures or videos online – scammers could use them as…
