Feb 06

Scams

Published by Marilyn

Scams target people of all backgrounds, ages and income levels across Australia. There is no one group of people who are more likely to become a victim of a scam. If you think you are ‘too clever’ to fall for a scam, you may take risks that scammers can take advantage of.

Scams succeed because

1. They look like the real thing and appear to meet your need or desire. To find out that it is in fact a scam, you must first make the effort to check it properly. The Australian Government’s Scamwatch is a really good place to find out about the latest scams. If you can’t find it on their website then give them a call on 1300 795 995.

2. Scammers manipulate you by ‘pushing your buttons’ to produce the automatic response they want. It’s nothing to do with you personally, it’s to do with the way individuals in society are wired up emotionally and socially. It’s because the response is automatic that people fall for the scam.

There’s all sorts of scams around and you’d be surprised just how many people fall for them! The various kinds do the rounds. At present the one I’m getting a lot of is from “Microsoft” about a problem with my computer and even if I tell them I don’t have a computer they are still not detered.

So now I treat all the calls the same way, I put down the phone and leave them to talk to themselves. By the time I return the line is dead! It’s my least stressful weapon. But they are a total waste of time as we know and particularly irritating when you’re in the middle of something and you get “one of those calls”.

Golden rules

If it looks too good to be true—it probably is.
ALWAYS get independent advice if an offer involves significant money, time or commitment.
Remember there are no get-rich-quick schemes: the only people who make money are the scammers.
Do not agree to offers or deals straight away: tell the person that you are not interested or that you want to get some independent advice before making a decision.
You can contact your local office of fair trading, ASIC or the ACCC for assistance.
NEVER send money or give credit card or online account details to anyone you do not know and trust.
Check your bank account and credit card statements when you get them. If you see a transaction you cannot explain, report it to your credit union or bank.
Keep your credit and ATM cards safe. Do not share your personal identity number with anyone. Do not keep any written copy of your PIN with the card.

Read more at How to protect yourself and your business

This morning the following email arrived complete with the ATO logo :

Australian Taxation Office
30/01/2012

TAX REFUND NOTIFICATION

Dear Taxpayer,
After the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of 254.33 AUD

Please submit the tax refund request and allow us 6-9 days in order to process it.

To access your tax refund, please follow the steps below:

…..- download the Tax Refund Form attached to this email
…..- open it in a browser
…..- follow the instructions on your screen

A refund can be delayed for a variety of reasons. For example submitting invalid records or applying after the deadline.

Regards,
Australian Government

The remarkable thing about this is that it actually looks genuine and the sender appears to have had lessons in English!!

However it is a scam!

As with anything like this it is best to go to the source BEFORE you do anything.

The ATO have good up to date information at http://www.ato.gov.au/content/62347.htm?headline=phonescams&segment=home

Check it out!


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