Online scammers reap $532m from victims

Compensation lawyer Travis Schultz is warning residents not to think they are immune to the scourge of scammers targeting the Sunshine Coast.

Residents are being warned to be aware of online scams during National Scams Awareness Week.

COMPENSATION lawyer Travis Schultz is warning residents not to think they are immune to the scourge of scammers targeting the Sunshine Coast.

The principal of Travis Schultz Law said scams were common and very difficult to recover money lost, particularly if it was sent overseas.

Mr Schultz and IDCARE managing director David Lacey spoke out about the threat as a part of National Scams Awareness Week, which runs until Friday.

“If a scammer is caught, the law provides a right of recourse but once the money leaves the jurisdiction, it can be very difficult to recover,” Mr Schultz said.

“These scammers are professionals with call centres and teams of trained staff following convincing scripts.

“What’s important is that people acknowledge the professionalism of these operations and don’t assume they won’t fall victim to scams.

“As Australians we are used to relying on the legal system to address criminal activity, however in the case of scams, our hands are largely tied when it comes to righting the wrong.”

Mr Lacey said demand for his Sunshine Coast-based organisation’s services had doubled year on year since 2014.

“The impact on members of the community and small business can be devastating,” Mr Lacey said.

“Most Australians experience not just financial losses, but also psychological trauma from experiencing these crimes.”

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission estimates Australians are expected to lose a record amount due to scams in 2019, with losses exceeding $532 million by the end of the year.

Mr Schultz said there were a number of simple tips people should be mindful of in their day-to-day lives to avoid scammers.

“It is a fact of life in the 21st Century that the digital age has emboldened once petty criminals,” Mr Schultz said.

“Scams can often be run from abroad making the perpetrators very hard to catch.

“Sadly, it has created a new industry and these days the petty shoplifters of the past have become cyber criminals of a digital age.”

Scam awareness tips:

-Never give out your bank and personal details by email or text.

-Only use secure websites that you know and trust.

-A secure website will always begin with https:// and NOT http://. It will normally also display the image of a closed padlock in the address bar. Only shop online if it is a secure website.

-Be wary when a friend shares something. They could have been hacked and if you open what they are sharing, it might be a virus.

-Always carefully consider the email address from which an email has been sent.

-Don’t follow links in an email. You will be able to find the same link on the website for the business.

-If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

For more information on scams visit www.scamwatch.gov.au. If you have been scammed or had your identity stolen go online to www.idcare.org.

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