Every year, thousands of Australians are targeted by scams, whether it be online, via phone, mail or even in person. Australian Community Media has compiled a list of current scams identified on sites such as scamwatch.gov.au, www.cyber.gov.au and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's website dedicated to informing people about fraudulent and dishonest activities:
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Flubot scams ramp up
- Scamwatch has advised that flubot scams, those that trick you into downloading malicious software to your device, are adapting in an attempt to steal your personal information.
- Since August, Australians have been getting scam text messages about missed calls, voicemails or deliveries. Scamwatch has received more than 12,000 reports of these scams.
- Scam text messages or a voice message ask you to tap on a link to download an app to track or organise a time for a delivery. The message is fake. Following a link like this may infect your device with malware that can steal your contacts and banking information.
- Scammers are frequently updating the Flubot text message format. Starting in September, many Flubot messages now talk about a delivery. Unlike earlier Flubot messages, new text messages may not contain spelling mistakes. However, they do contain a website link followed by six to eight random letters and numbers.
- If you receive one of these messages, do not click or tap on the link. Delete the message immediately.
- More information on missed delivery, call or voicemail scams is available at scamwatch.gov.au.
Too good to be true
- A text message scam offering recipients a part-time job with a monthly salary of between $6000 and $30,000 has prompted Scamwatch to warn that if a "job opportunity seems too good to be true, it probably is". No legitimate part time job will pay you this much. These messages, which include a WhatsApp number to phone, usually lead to some kind of Ponzi scheme or other scam. If you get a text like this, delete it and block the sender.