Most Common Scams
Phishing:
Fake messages or emails appear to be from big companies like banks which then ask for personal information.
Advance Fee Fraud:
Scammers tell you something about winning a cash prize or inheritance but charge a legal fee or processing fee and never deliver the prize.
Tax Fraud:
Scammers pretend to be from the Australian Tax Office and tell people they owe a certain amount of money, or that there is irregular activity on your account.
Medical Identity Theft:
Scammers steal your medicare number or full name to get medical treatments under your name or use it to do other fraudulent activities.
Online Shopping Scams:
Too good to be true scams they can use facebook market place or gumtree to send you fake items, or to never send the item in the first place.
Impersonation Scams:
Like phishing they will contact you pretending to be someone of authority.
Ways they contact victims
Phishing Emails:
Fake Emails which appear to be from big companies like banks which then ask for personal information.
Phone Calls (Vishing):
Fake phone calls which appear to be from big companies like banks which then ask for personal information.
Text Messages (Smishing):
Fake messages calls which appear to be from big companies like banks which then ask for personal information.
Social Media Messages:
Scammers will message you on social media platforms like instagram or facebook and try to get your money in ways such as, appearing to be a friend in need or a saying you've won a prize when you haven't.
In person approaches:
Scammers come up to you and pretend to be charities, or do public surveys to find name and addresses.
Scams that steal personal information
Tax file Numbers:
Used to open fraudulent accounts or commit tax fraud.
Financial Account Details:
Includes bank account and credit card information to do unauthorised transactions.
Medical Records:
Stolen to commit fraud or get medical services under someone else’s name.
Driver's License Numbers:
Used to create fake IDs or to steal your identity.
Phishing:
Fake messages or emails which appear to be from big companies like banks which then ask for personal information.
Scams that steal identities
Phishing Attacks:
Fake messages or emails which appear to be from big companies like banks which then ask for personal information.
Data Breaches:
Hackers access and steal personal data usually from organisations or companies.
Skimming Devices:
Illegal devices placed on ATMs or point-of-sale terminals to capture credit card data.
Mail Theft:
Stealing physical mail to obtain personal details, like bank statements.
Social Engineering:
Tricking people into sharing their personal information by using trust or fear making you share personal information.
Crazy case
Case Name: R v Bhandari & Ors (NSW District Court, 2019)
Scam Type: Impersonation + ATO Robocall + Gift Card Fraud
Total Stolen: Over $1.2 million AUD
The Victim got calls from an impersonation of the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), threatening victims with "jail time" if they did not comply asking the victims to buy gift cards. Using a team in Australia to sell the cards and launder the money.
They got caught when people contacted the official ATO with the judges ruling psychological abuse the verdict had Bhandari and others jailed for fraud.