Attorney-General warns residents not to fall for scams
Published Sunday, 01 March, 2009 at 06:00 AM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine, has warned Queensland residents not to get duped by scams, with the launch of Fraud Week tomorrow.
Fraud Week aims to raise awareness about the serious threat to personal identity and financial security caused by scams.
“Every year, one in 20 Australians falls victim to scams,” Mr Shine said.
“The Office of Fair Trading received 1368 complaints about scams last year, with 362 coming from Brisbane.
“Scams target anyone and can come from anywhere - the internet, email, post, over the phone and door-to-door.
“Unfortunately victims of scams often don’t report it because they feel humiliated when they realise they have been duped, and they’d rather bear the amount of money they have lost out of fear of embarrassment.”
The top scams reported in Queensland in the past year were fake overseas lotteries, Nigerian scams, chain letters and gambling schemes and systems.
“Scammers are manipulative and make a living from lying to consumers by promising easy money, great prizes and offering a way out of financial hardship,” Mr Shine said.
“They make the offer look like the real thing and use professional looking websites, letters, brochures, emails and leaflets to dupe consumers into providing their personal details like their credit card number or password.
“The best way to protect yourself from scams is to know the warning signs and be able to identify when a product or offer doesn’t seem quite right.
“Always be wary of high pressure sales tactics, unsolicited offers, and promises that seem too good to be true.”
Mr Shine said the Fraud Week campaign, which runs from 2 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 www.scamwatch.gov.au
Media contact: Lisa Taylor 0488 799 273 or Kate Lennox 0421127869
Fraud Week aims to raise awareness about the serious threat to personal identity and financial security caused by scams.
“Every year, one in 20 Australians falls victim to scams,” Mr Shine said.
“The Office of Fair Trading received 1368 complaints about scams last year, with 362 coming from Brisbane.
“Scams target anyone and can come from anywhere - the internet, email, post, over the phone and door-to-door.
“Unfortunately victims of scams often don’t report it because they feel humiliated when they realise they have been duped, and they’d rather bear the amount of money they have lost out of fear of embarrassment.”
The top scams reported in Queensland in the past year were fake overseas lotteries, Nigerian scams, chain letters and gambling schemes and systems.
“Scammers are manipulative and make a living from lying to consumers by promising easy money, great prizes and offering a way out of financial hardship,” Mr Shine said.
“They make the offer look like the real thing and use professional looking websites, letters, brochures, emails and leaflets to dupe consumers into providing their personal details like their credit card number or password.
“The best way to protect yourself from scams is to know the warning signs and be able to identify when a product or offer doesn’t seem quite right.
“Always be wary of high pressure sales tactics, unsolicited offers, and promises that seem too good to be true.”
Mr Shine said the Fraud Week campaign, which runs from 2 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 www.scamwatch.gov.au
Media contact: Lisa Taylor 0488 799 273 or Kate Lennox 0421127869