OFFICIALLY, Australians were scammed out of almost $82 million last year, with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) saying romance-based schemes accounted for a sizeable chunk of the losses.
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The ACCC released figures which show more than 90,000 scams were reported last year, with around one in nine tricksters successfully getting money in scams that netted about $28 million.
The report found while fewer people were being conned into sending cash to a romance scammer, the financial loss was far higher, with 3 per cent of contacts accounting for 34 per cent of losses. The losses exceeded $500,000 in 14 separate cases.
Investment fraud and computer prediction software was the second most popular type of scam, with more than $21 million being lost in scams where people were asked to invest in a scheme or work opportunity, or buy into computer programs that claimed to help the user make money.
Fifty-three per cent of the reported scams were solicited over the phone, via calls or text message, while 38 per cent were online.
This week is National Consumer Fraud Week and the ACCC is reiterating advice to avoid scammers:
- Keep your personal details secure
- Think twice about what you say and do in an online environment
- Keep your mobile devices and computers secure
- Choose your passwords carefully
- Beware of any request for your details or money
- Get a copy of your credit report
SBS’s Insight program has devoted an episode to romance scams, which was entitled Love Bites.
It makes for heartbreaking viewing when you see real people tell their stories and expose the hurt scammers have caused.
But the one message that comes through loud and clear is that anyone can fall victim to scammers.
Gadgets like smartphones have revolutionised the internet, but they can also make it easier for our information to be stolen and exploited.
Remember The X Files?
The show’s motto of Trust No One has never been more true, although admittedly with fewer aliens.
- Jody Springett