Published Friday, 29 February, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Mackay Residents Warned About Scams As Part of Fraud Fortnight
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine and Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin, have warned Mackay 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 18 coming from Mackay,” 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 Mulherin said the top five scams reported in Mackay are invoice fraud, which targets businesses through fake advertising and directory listings, chain letters, gambling software and advance fee fraud (also referred to as Nigerian scams).
“Mackay has a relatively high proportion of complaints regarding invoice fraud, with over 50 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 and 17 per cent of complaints related to gambling software scams.
“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 Mulherin 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 Mulherin’s Office: 4957 8422
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 18 coming from Mackay,” 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 Mulherin said the top five scams reported in Mackay are invoice fraud, which targets businesses through fake advertising and directory listings, chain letters, gambling software and advance fee fraud (also referred to as Nigerian scams).
“Mackay has a relatively high proportion of complaints regarding invoice fraud, with over 50 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 and 17 per cent of complaints related to gambling software scams.
“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 Mulherin 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 Mulherin’s Office: 4957 8422