WARNING TO NORTH QLDERS ABOUT SCAM LOTTERY EMAIL

Member for Thuringowa Craig Wallace is warning North Queenslanders about a scam email telling people they have won US$500,000 and a new Toyota car.

Mr Wallace said one of his staff members had received the email today, which appears to be the latest Internet hoax doing the rounds.

“The email is supposedly from the Toyota International Lotto Headquarters in Japan, announcing winners in a competition draw,” Mr Wallace said.

“The competition is fake and anyone who receives the email should simply delete it.

“If you respond to it, you leave yourself open to identify fraud and financial loss.

“The email asks recipients to send personal information including their full name, age, contact details and occupation before they can collect their prizes.”

Mr Wallace said when scammers got hold of this kind of personal information, they could quickly empty bank accounts or steal a person’s identity.

“The Office of Fair Trading can provide advice for consumers on how to protect themselves from Internet scams and fraud.”

Mr Wallace said to protect themselves online consumers should:

·Never give bank or other passwords to anyone,

·Never give your personal information to someone you don’t know and trust,

·Always access websites through your 'favourites' or type the URL in the address bar of your web browser,

·Never click on hyperlinks in an email,

·Use secure websites when making Internet money transactions - check for the padlock symbol, which is usually in the bottom right hand corner,

·Use an effective virus protection program and update it regularly,

·Install a 'firewall', and keep your computer’s security program and operating system up-to-date to prevent unauthorised access,

·Delete suspicious emails without opening them and don’t open suspect attachments - even if the email comes from someone you trust; and

·Ignore and delete spam, chain and junk emails.

The Office of Fair Trading regularly shares information about scams with other State and Commonwealth consumer protection organisations.

Mr Wallace urged Thuringowa residents who believed they had been targeted by a scam or wanted to warn others, visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or phone 13 13 04.

Media contact: Caroline Kaurila, Craig Wallace’s office on (07) 3896 3694.