This year, a staggering amount has been paid to cybercriminals by Australians who have fallen victim to con artists.
Almost one-third of Australians have fallen victim to a financial scam, according to data from RateCity.com.au.
Two-and-a-half-hundred-and-nine percent of one thousand respondents polled claimed to having been victimized by credit card hacking, identity theft, or being duped into turning over money.
Australians have given fraudsters $526,3 million in 2022, according to the ACCC.
How to avoid becoming a victim of fraud
Be aware that there are cons:
keep an eye out for them
Always know who you are speaking with.
If something appears to be too good to be true, it most likely is.
If you are uncertain about the legitimacy of an offer, do not finish the transaction or provide personal information.
Check the company’s registration status using the ABN lookup website. Read customer reviews and seek for symptoms of a possible scam.
Use a credit card instead of a debit card or bank transfer so you can request a chargeback from your bank.
Customers claim that imposters posing as Woolworths are seeking personal information.
In the past year, Australians have given fraudsters $526,3 million, a staggering 88 percent rise from the same period in 2021.
According to Scamwatch of the ACCC, in 2021 only $266,7 million were defrauded.
Sally Tindall, head of research at RateCity.com.au, advises people to be particularly careful with their finances during the holidays.
Scammers don’t take vacations, so even while it’s a fantastic time to kick back and relax, folks should be vigilant regarding scams.
“Think before you send a text message, email, or social media post,” she advises.
Australians who are interested in Boxing Day bargains should also be mindful of who they provide their financial information to.
Ms. Tindall explains, “The post-Christmas sales can be a terrific time to score a deal, but it’s also an ideal time for con artists to take advantage of people.”
“Assume nothing when shopping online.” Is it a site that I know and trust? Is the method of payment secure? Is the website requesting unnecessary personal or financial information?
“If something seems suspect, close your browser and exit the site.”
‘Regularly review your bank statements and report any unusual transactions. Frequently, it’s just a store with an unusual name, but it’s preferable to feel momentarily foolish for questioning it than to risk losing thousands of dollars.
Optus customers were cautioned to be careful against scammers after their personal information was exposed in massive computer breaches.
In 2022, there were 66,649 incidents of phishing, a method in which a fraudster sends a phony message to mislead a victim into divulging vital information. This strategy has proven to be particularly effective for scammers.
The strategy may involve emails or texts that appear to be from a legitimate company or a loved one in danger.
Australians have claimed $351,6 million in financial losses due to investment fraud.
If you believe you’ve been a victim of fraud, notify your bank immediately so it can stop any outstanding transactions and freeze your account.
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