LSC Joanne Mutsaerts, Melton Neighbourhood Policing Co-Coordinator
Everyone is vulnerable to scams and often these crimes go unreported, as people feel guilty or silly for having fallen victim.
Scammers are getting smarter, using technology to deceive and trick.
A scam is an attempt to intentionally mislead a person or business, usually with the goal of financial or other gain.
Every year, scams cost the community hundreds of millions of dollars.
In addition to the loss of money, victims of scams also report of the emotional and psychological harm this type of crime has on them and their families.
Scams try to exploit human weaknesses, such as greed, dishonesty, vanity, and also virtues like honesty and compassion.
It is so important to be vigilant when receiving emails, text messages or phone calls. If you are not certain of where the message or call is originating from, please use caution and do not reply to the message, click on a link or verbally provide personal details.
Police are currently seeing a range of scams that are financially destroying people in our community.
Many of these scams are designed to trick and mislead people and are purposely created to replicate current events.
For example, there is currently a scam alert for a COVID-19 test kit. If you get a message offering a free COVID-19 test kit, don’t open the link.
These scam text messages are impersonating the Australian Government, Medicare and myGov.
Learn more: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/text-message-scam-for-free-covid-19-test-kit
Another example is scams pertaining to be from the Australian Taxation Office and with the end of the financial year just passed these will become more common. Please do not click on any link or provide any details.
The best way to protect yourself from falling victim to a scam is through awareness and education.
It is important to understand that scams come in all shapes and sizes, with dating and romance scams still one of the most prolific scam areas.
Other examples relate to home repairs, online shopping, investments and businesses or charities impersonating legitimate businesses, just to name a few.
There are some basic tips and suggestions to help protect yourself or a vulnerable family member:
– Understand that scams do exist and be vigilant at all times.
– Always know who you are dealing with, even if you need to call them back.
– Do not click on links or answer text messages that you do not know where they have come from.
– Always be suspicious of any request for personal details or money and never meet these requests or demands.
– Be careful with online shopping and try to use reputable sites and secure payment methods.
– Be wary when you are asked to make a payment in an unusual manner, such as gift cards.
For further information and support please visit the Victoria Police website or SCAMwatch is a website run by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
SCAMwatch provides information to consumers and small businesses about how to recognise, avoid and report scams.
