Displaying items by tag: Scams

Scams over telco networks are a serious problem, causing financial and emotional harm to victims and undermining confidence in telecommunications services.

NBN Co are taking the initiative during the ACCC's National Scams Awareness Week, November 8 to 12, to run a series of special free webinars, in partnership with ASCCA and other national organisations, to help Australians get 'ScamFit' as NBN and other company impersonation scams go on the rise - and losses by everyday Aussies grow, too.

“Let’s talk scams” is the theme adopted by more than 350 partners across government, private and community organisations who have joined the fight against scams in this year’s national Scams Awareness Week.

Middle aged and older Australians suffered the brunt of scams in September with those aged 45 to 54 the hardest hit financially during the month and the aged 65 and over reporting the highest number of scams at 5,642.

It's not news that scammers and other cybercriminals take advantage of Google Forms, but that misuse may be broader than you thought.

GUEST OPINION: The pandemic, ongoing lockdowns and tax return time are leading to a perfect scam storm, says Dr Suranga Seneviratne from the University of Sydney’s School of Computer Science, who provides timely advice on how to spot and avoid a scam.

Australians believe schools should teach online safety cucciculum with a new study showing that many parents have not taken proactive security measures to protect their family/home when distance learning was introduced to their lives, despite being concerned that their children could be exposed to scams or illegal content. 

Australians have lost over $70 million to bogus investment scams in the first half of this year and a massive increase in losses are predicted by the end of the year, according to the consumer watchdog the ACCC.

New South Wales residents were the most financially impacted by scams in July, accounting for 37% of the total amount lost in the month.

There has been a significant rise in phishing email attacks related to HR topics, particularly regarding new policies that would affect all employees throughout organisations, according to global security awareness training and simulated phishing platform provider KnowBe4.

Security provider Proofpoint notes the massive growth in scams reported in the latest Scamwatch report, drawing attention to the fact that Australian losses to scammers reached 80% of 2020's total in just six months.

Scammers have stolen more than $7.2 million from Australians so far this year by gaining access to home computers, an increase of 184% compared to the same period last year.

Payment redirection scams were the most financially damaging scams for Australian businesses in 2020 according to the competition watchdog, the ACCC’s latest targeting scams report.

Australians have lost a record $851 million to scams, with scammers taking advantage of the pandemic to con unsuspecting people, according to a new report which also reveals that investment scams accounted for the biggest losses.

The telecommunications industry regulator, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Australian Financial Crimes Exchange (AFCX) which enables the exchange of information about unauthorised mobile number porting when it’s used for scams, fraud and financial crime.

Australians have already lost over $288,000 to vehicle scams in the first quarter of this year, more than all losses reported to Scamwatch in 2019, and scammers have now begun impersonating defence personnel to con their victims, according to the consumer watchdog, the ACCC.

The biographical drama Judas and the Black Messiah has won one Oscar already at the ongoing ceremony, but the film also has another less better-known achievement: it was used to spread the most malicious files among the films up for Oscar contention.

Australian businesses reported over $14 million in losses to Scamwatch due to payment redirection scams last year, and average losses so far in 2021 are more than five times higher compared to average losses in the same period in 2020, according to the ACCC.

Scammers are using telephone calls, SMS messages and emails to take advantage of Australia’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout.

Telstra has announced the third element of its "Cleaner Pipes" initiative, ensuring that its smart pipes aren't dumb, and are as clean as possible from scam callers, safeguarding "millions of Australians in the process".