Every year, thousands of Australians are targeted by scams, whether it be online, via phone, mail or even in person. Australian Community Media has compiled a list of current scams identified on sites such as scamwatch.gov.au and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's website dedicated to informing people about fraudulent and dishonest activities.
Have you been scammed?
Australian Community Media is interested in publishing first-hand accounts from those who have been taken advantage of by unscrupulous operators. If you're interested in sharing your story as a warning to others contact Anna Wolf at anna.wolf@austcommunitymedia.com.au.
If you have seen or are a victim of a scam, report it to Scamwatch via www.scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam.
Scam targets Amazon Prime customers
- People are being reminded of a scam continuing to circulate that involves people impersonating staff from Amazon Prime.
- People should always be wary of callers claiming you owe money to Amazon or other companies and that funds will be taken from your bank account if you do not act immediately.
- Scammers may also ask you to go online to confirm your personal details or Amazon account information.
- Amazon does not ask customers to disclose or verify personal or account information over the phone.
- If a call sounds suspicious, hang up immediately.
- Never give personal information over the phone unless you can independently confirm who is calling.
- Find out more about phone scams, or visit the Scamwatch website for information about phishing scams.
myGOV refund
- If you receive a text message claiming you are eligible for a 'myGOV Refund'. Texts claiming to offer a myGov refund are a scam.
- The message will tell the recipient that after an annual calculation, they are eligible for a refund. It will include a monetary figure with AUD after it, and a link to complete an eForm.
- Don't click on links in emails or text messages claiming to be from myGov. myGov will never send you a text, email or attachment with hyperlinks or web addresses.
Woolies chat bot
- Scamwatch is warning of a scam that impersonates Woolworths through a chat bot. A chat appears welcoming the user to a "Woolworths interactive prize universe" and asks to confirm their name to check a prize claim of a $250 gift voucher. This is a scam.
- Do not provide your address or credit card details, or click on the prize option buttons. You will not receive the prize or gift voucher.
JB Hi-Fi text scam
- Scamwatch is warning the public of a wave of scam texts impersonating JB Hi-Fi.
- The text states "you made a purchase in our JB-stores in 2020 and entered our draw by doing this". The text includes a hyperlink. This link takes the person to a website that looks similar to JB Hi-Fi's official site, but is not. It prompts the user to click a link to claim their prize. This is a scam.
- Do not provide your personal or financial details to these scammers.
- JB Hi-Fi's official website is jbhifi.com.au. Any JB Hi-Fi special offers or competitions can be found on this website.