WA consumers targeted in phishing scam
Issue Date: - Monday, 14 December 2009
Western Australians are being warned about a phone scam where the caller claims to be a Fair Trading official who can reimburse overcharged bank fees.
WA ScamNet - part of Consumer Protection - has received a high number of calls about the phishing scam, which has also targeted people in New South Wales.
WA Commissioner for Consumer Protection Anne Driscoll wants to make sure consumers are not tricked into giving out sensitive personal information because they believe they are dealing with someone they can trust.
"The scammers provide a phone number and ask to be called back, answering as 'The Office of Fair Trading' when they pick up the receiver," she said.
"Thankfully most of the calls we’ve had have been from people who have realised it was a scam, however two people have reported sending nearly $300 in advance fees to an alleged representative in India.
"If people receive an offer that appears too good to be true, even from a trusted organisation, they should contact the organisation via their publically listed telephone number to confirm the offer is legitimate, rather than relying on the numbers supplied by the caller or an email.
"I want to make it absolutely clear to people in WA that Consumer Protection and other Fair Trading organisations would never randomly call members of the community to ask for banking details. If you get a call like this, hang up."
In November Consumer Protection’s advice line answered 415 calls about scams and responded to 1,546 emails about scams.
For the latest on scams affecting consumers and businesses in WA or to subscribe to our WA ScamNet email alerts service, log on to www.commerce.wa.gov.au/wascamnet
If you think you may have fallen victim to a scam, call the Consumer Protection advice line on 1300 30 40 54.
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(Consumer Protection is a division of the Department of Commerce)
Media Contact:
Alina Cavanagh 9282 0679 or 0423-846397 alina.cavanagh@commerce.wa.gov.au