A couple from Australia lost over a thousand dollars after falling for a scam that was impersonating a charity.
Australians are being urged to be wary of falling for “alarming” schemes that prey on people in need of financial help during the current economic crisis.
According to the NAUDC, criminals are deceiving people into believing that they are receiving financial assistance from charities.
They’re also reportedly offering fake rental assistance programs and emergency relief initiatives.
According to the ACCC’s Catriona Lowe, criminals are targeting the most vulnerable members of society as the rising cost of living makes it harder for them to make ends meet.
People who need financial help and those who provide it are urged to be aware of these scams. In one instance, a couple was lured into a scam by pretending to be from a charity online and asking them for a no-interest loan.
The fraudsters then obtained their personal information, such as their driver’s license, pension card, and mygov details.
In another instance, a pensioner was tricked into giving their personal information to a scammer who created a fake Facebook page for a rental assistance program.
The fraudsters then stole about $1,000 from the pensioner’s account.
They were able to withdraw their money from their bank account and steal their disability pension.
Scammers will often pose as government agencies or charities, such as the Wesley Mission, to trick people into giving them money.
Lowe noted that Australians should always verify an organization’s legitimacy before giving money or providing personal information over the Internet.
Scammers can also steal people’s bank account details, passwords, and driver’s licenses.
In addition, people should avoid following social media advertisements or assuming that the person they’re talking to is the real deal.
Australians are also urged to report any activity related to a scam to Scamwatch or the social media platform itself.
If you’ve lost myGov or Centrelink details to a scam, you can contact Services Australia’s Identity Theft Helpdesk at 1800 941 126.