The loss og $3.1 billion scams in Australians in 2022

 

Yesterday, April 17, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) released a report that said Australians lost their biggest ever in 2022 fraud. I'd like to focus on the report.

scam

Report Contents 

More than $3.1 billion was lost to scams in 2022(an 80 percent increase from 2021) according to a report from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), Targeting Scams.

The report compiled data from more than 500,000 scam reports received across different agencies, including Scamwatch and the Australian Financial Crimes Exchange. 

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)

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How much was lost in 2022: 

• Investment scams: $1.5b
• Remote access: $229.2m
• Payment redirection: $224.9m
• Romance scams: $210.2m
• Phishing: $157.6m
• Other: $784m

Source: ACCC Targeting Scams report

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)

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Current scams in Australia 

1. Phishing 1. 피싱

• PayID Marketplace Scams PayID 
• Phishing text messages using technology to pose as legitimate organizations 
• Phishing Internet banking websites promoted in Google advertisements 
• Linkt/Toll Scam Alert 

2. Family Impersonation or "Hi Mum" Scam  
3. Recruitment Scam
4. Extortion Scam 
5. Investment Scam 
6. Puppy Scam 
7. "Flubot" Scam(a text message with a "link") 
8. Romance Scam 
9. Remote Access Scam 
10. Advanced Fee Scam 

Lists of the top 10 scams by money lost and the number of reports, based on ACCC Scamwatch data.

ACCC Scamwatch data about scam delivery methods observed in 2021.

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How to avoid being scammed

1. Be wary of spam emails, chain letters, and persons purporting to represent government departments, financial institutions, or other businesses. 
2. Check out our article on how to tell if an email is fraudulent. 
3. Do not give your name, bank account details, copies of your passport, birth certificate, or any other personal details or documents to anyone other than for legitimate purposes.
4. If someone contacts you asking for personal information, check carefully that they are legitimate.
5. Be suspicious of any correspondence from overseas asking you to forward large sums of money or advising that you have won a prize. 
6. If someone blocks access to your computer or personal files, and then asks for payment to remove that block, report the incident to the Police. 
7. Keep up to date with the types of scams in circulation, so you can identify them if needed. 

scam warning