Published Friday, 29 February, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Central Queensland Residents Warned About Scams As Part of Fraud Fortnight
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine, the Member for Rockhampton, Robert Schwarten, and the Member for Keppel, Paul Hoolihan, have warned Rockhampton 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 64 coming from the Rockhampton area,” 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 Shine said.
Mr Schwarten said the top five scams reported in Rockhampton are invoice fraud, which targets business through fake advertising and directory listings, chain letters, fake lotteries, employment scams and gambling software.
“Rockhampton has a relatively high proportion of invoice fraud complaints, with over 30 per cent of scam complaints for the region,” he said.
“Over 20 per cent of complaints relate to chain letter scams, particularly the David Rhodes Chain Letter which is effectively a pyramid scheme.”
Mr Hoolihan 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,” he 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 Schwarten’s Office: 4927 5299
Mr Hoolihan: 4939 5732
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 64 coming from the Rockhampton area,” 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 Shine said.
Mr Schwarten said the top five scams reported in Rockhampton are invoice fraud, which targets business through fake advertising and directory listings, chain letters, fake lotteries, employment scams and gambling software.
“Rockhampton has a relatively high proportion of invoice fraud complaints, with over 30 per cent of scam complaints for the region,” he said.
“Over 20 per cent of complaints relate to chain letter scams, particularly the David Rhodes Chain Letter which is effectively a pyramid scheme.”
Mr Hoolihan 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,” he 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 Schwarten’s Office: 4927 5299
Mr Hoolihan: 4939 5732