Published Friday, 29 February, 2008 at 10:01 AM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Gold Coast Residents Warned About Scams As Part of Fraud Fortnight
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine and Member for Gaven Phil Gray, have warned Gold Coast residents not to get stung by scams.
Mr Shine has launched Fraud Fortnight which aims to raise awareness about the serious threat to personal identity and financial security posed by scams.
“The Office of Fair Trading received more than 1625 complaints about scams last year, with 115 coming from the Gold Coast alone,” Mr Shine said.
“These figures are only a fraction of the number of scams we know are circulating in the community.
“Many victims of scams don’t report the crime because they feel they’ve been duped and they’re willing to bear the amount of money lost out of fear of embarrassment.
“Fraudsters can make tens of thousands of dollars from unsuspecting victims, and they don’t care who they target.”
Mr Gray said the top five scams reported in the Gold Coast are fake lotteries, chain letters, invoice fraud, which targets business through fake advertising and directory listings, gambling software and advance fee fraud (also referred to as Nigerian scams).
“Over 20 per cent of complaints from Southport related to chain letter scams, particularly the David Rhodes Chain Letter, and 10 per cent of complaints related to gambling software scams,” Mr Gray said.
“Scams can come from anywhere - the internet, email, post, over the phone, by direct contact door-to-door, at seminars or other private or public places.
“The best way to protect yourself is to know the warning signs of a scam, including unsolicited offers, high pressure sales tactics and promises that seem too good to be true,” Mr Gray said.
Mr Shine said the Fraud Fortnight campaign, which runs from 24 February to 8 March, was an important national initiative.
“The Office of Fair Trading as a member of the Australian Consumer Fraud Taskforce has helped coordinate the campaign to bring about a greater knowledge and understanding of scams among consumers.”
For more information on protecting yourself from scams, visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or phone 13 13 04. To report a scam during Fraud Fortnight visit www.scamwatch.gov.au.
Media contact: Mr Shine’s Office: Troy Davies 3239 6400, 0488 799 273
Mr Gray’s Office: 5502 1411
Mr Shine has launched Fraud Fortnight which aims to raise awareness about the serious threat to personal identity and financial security posed by scams.
“The Office of Fair Trading received more than 1625 complaints about scams last year, with 115 coming from the Gold Coast alone,” Mr Shine said.
“These figures are only a fraction of the number of scams we know are circulating in the community.
“Many victims of scams don’t report the crime because they feel they’ve been duped and they’re willing to bear the amount of money lost out of fear of embarrassment.
“Fraudsters can make tens of thousands of dollars from unsuspecting victims, and they don’t care who they target.”
Mr Gray said the top five scams reported in the Gold Coast are fake lotteries, chain letters, invoice fraud, which targets business through fake advertising and directory listings, gambling software and advance fee fraud (also referred to as Nigerian scams).
“Over 20 per cent of complaints from Southport related to chain letter scams, particularly the David Rhodes Chain Letter, and 10 per cent of complaints related to gambling software scams,” Mr Gray said.
“Scams can come from anywhere - the internet, email, post, over the phone, by direct contact door-to-door, at seminars or other private or public places.
“The best way to protect yourself is to know the warning signs of a scam, including unsolicited offers, high pressure sales tactics and promises that seem too good to be true,” Mr Gray said.
Mr Shine said the Fraud Fortnight campaign, which runs from 24 February to 8 March, was an important national initiative.
“The Office of Fair Trading as a member of the Australian Consumer Fraud Taskforce has helped coordinate the campaign to bring about a greater knowledge and understanding of scams among consumers.”
For more information on protecting yourself from scams, visit www.fairtrading.qld.gov.au or phone 13 13 04. To report a scam during Fraud Fortnight visit www.scamwatch.gov.au.
Media contact: Mr Shine’s Office: Troy Davies 3239 6400, 0488 799 273
Mr Gray’s Office: 5502 1411