Fraser Coast Councillor David Lee warns others of identity theft scam

A Queensland councillor is in shock and issuing a warning after discovering his identity was being used to scam the elderly into donating to a bogus fundraiser.

A Fraser Coast Councillor has posted a warning online after he fell victim to identity theft in which a scammer was trying to make “fraudulent claims to raise $80,000”.

In a post on social media on Monday, Councillor David Lee warned others of the ongoing scam.

“I understand that my identity has been taken and is being used to make fraudulent claims to raise $80,000,” he wrote.

“The fraud is targeting aged care pensioners.”

Cr Lee urged anyone who had been contacted to get in touch with police.

“The fraud typically starts through a message, ‘How are you?’ and then escalates to a claim for money.

“Please do not respond to these messages.

“If you have responded to a message please immediately contact the Queensland Police Service.”

It comes less than a fortnight after Cr Lee warned Facebook users not to accept a ‘friend request’ from an account under his name as it was a fake duplicate set up by an unknown person.

Cr Lee said he had been alerted to the scam by an elderly woman in New South Wales who had been contacted by someone claiming to be him.

Others had followed, letting him know they had also been contacted by the scammer.

“They tend to contact elderly people, which is really low,” he said

According to the Australian Federal Police, identity crime is a critical threat to the Australian community.

Those who have fallen victim or received suspicious calls are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.