In 2016 Australians lost $83 million dollars to scams. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission revealed in its 2017 report Targeting Scams: Report of the ACCC on Scam Activity 2016, that the top three scam categories reported that year were phishing (attempts to gain personal information), advance fee frauds (send money upfront to receive a reward) and false billing scams, accounting for 36 per cent of all scams.
Reclaim scams were also popular wherein the scammer approaches someone with a false claim that they are entitled to a reimbursement or rebate, such as for overpaid taxes, bank fees or compensation. The scammer may make contact by mail, telephone, email, text message or social media.
Report a scam to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) by using its website www.scamwatch.gov.au You may be encouraged to include the details of the scam contact you received, eg, email or phone number. If you have been threatened, assaulted or had your property stolen, contact your local police immediately.
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