How to pick “ingenious” scam that’s taken 150k from Aussies in seven months

A Brisbane man targeted by a scam which has taken more than $150,000 from Australian pockets this year has revealed how they nearly got him. SEE HOW IT WORKS.

A Brisbane man who was targeted by a “foolproof and ingenious” scam which the ACCC revealed has taken more than $150,000 from Australian pockets in just seven months has shed light on how it nearly got him.

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission’s Scamwatch said they have received 60 reports of this debt scam this year, they offer discounts on paying utility bills, taxation bills, mortgages and tuition costs.

“Victims are contacted by phone or mobile apps including WhatsApp, the scammer claims to be from the ‘Discount Club’ or ‘Bulk Deals’ or ‘Utility warehouse’, etc, offering a 30%-40% discount on bills of any kind for the victim,” an ACCC spokeswoman said.

Mr Rashid said the scammers were very convincing.

This is exactly what happened to Kamil Rashid.

They called his mobile from a Sydney number, they said they were from a company called better savings, of course, it doesn’t exist.

“What they were pitching was I don’t have to make any payments or share any information upfront, it’s such a foolproof system, it’s really ingenious how they do it,” Mr Rashid said.

“They were very convincing … I thought it was a scam but they kept on calling me so I had this parking fine of $160 so I thought I would try these guys out.”

“They’re not that pushy they just do regular follow ups and check in how you are, I am from Pakistan so they spoke to me in my language which is basically what lured me in to the trap.”

“Since I am from that country I know these guys are from an educated class, I can tell that by the way they’re talking.

The ACCC say the victim is then told to send the scammer the bill, the scammer then pays the bill for the victim and then sends them a legitimate receipt.

“The victim is then directed to pay 70 per cent (or 60 per cent) of the bill directly into the scammer’s bank account,” the spokeswoman said.

“The victim will later be notified by the bank or utility company to advise the payment has been reversed as it was a fraudulent payment, the victim now still owes the money for the bill, any penalty fees for late payment and has paid money to the scammer.”

Mr Rashid initially rejected the scammers but due to they were persistent.

The scammers sent Mr Rashid the completed receipt of the parking fine, he checked it online and called the council, they assured him it was paid.

“I was still not satisfied, I called this friend of mine who works in IT security and he said this is a scam, otherwise I was going to transfer them the money.”

He know gets around five phone calls an hour from the scammers, which he ignores.

“If a person can almost scam me there are thousands out there, people are losing jobs people want the 30 per cent, people will do this.”

“They’re calling me on the other line just now, I am just not answering their calls.”

The ACCC said have had 60 reports of this scam from January 1 to July 31, with $151,776 lost to scammers.

Communication Mr Rashid received from the scam.

If you think you have fallen victim to this scam you can contact report it to Scamwatch, contact your bank and can consider raising a complaint with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority.

TIPS FROM SCAMWATCH

Do not provide pin codes from your bank or telecommunications provider to anyone.

Be suspicious of people who cold-call you. Check with your phone provider’s website about offers and deals before you provide any personal information.

Do an internet search on the name of the discount utility bills company in combination with the words ‘reviews’ or ‘scam’.

If an offer sounds too good to be true it may be a scam.