SCAM WATCH

SCAMwatch - is a site to help you recognise, report and protect yourself from scams. You can explore SCAMwatch to find out more about the scams that target you or your small business. Go to www.scamwatch.gov.au.

SCAMwatch is a website owned and maintained by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and is also the campaign portal for the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce.

You can register to receive free email alerts by going to this link. This page says:-

From time to time, we will post warnings when we see a sharp increase in a certain scam, or when a new type of scam comes across the SCAMwatch radar. From time to time, we may also advise you of significant new features on the SCAMwatch website.

Some recent alerts, kindly sent to us by John Moine are as follows:-

Beware of scam scratchie cards in your letterbox
September 2010: If you unexpectedly receive colourful travel brochures in the mail, be very suspicious if the package also contains scratchie card tickets.

Do not pay for the Do Not Call Register
September 2010: Don’t let someone trick you into paying to have your number listed on the Australian Government’s free Do Not Call Register.

Pedigree pups at prices too good to be true
September 2010: SCAMwatch is again warning consumers to be cautious of classified ads for pedigree puppies at prices that are too good to be true.

Secrets of your DNA revealed
January 2011: Free DNA testing kits received in the mail should be ignored!