Our September Speaker was Clyde Vanderholt, from Consumer Affaris Victoria.
Detailed information on scams can be accessed at this page
Clyde described many scams and methods of avoiding them:
Here is some brief advice on avoiding scams
Clyde described some scams in detail, including the following:
* Computer Repair Scam
A person phones you telling you that your computer is putting our dangerous information on to the Internet. They will try to convince you to send them money to fix the problem. They might also attempt to get access to your computer.
The best solution is to hang up immediately. Certainly do not send them money or allow them to gain access to your computer.
* Lottery Scam
Often in the form of an email to inform you that you have won a lottery. In order to receive the prize you have to send money to a bank account.
Here is a link to a discussion of such a scam.
Ignore email, don't send money
*Romance Scam
The scammer builds an online relationship with you, often over weeks, months or years. They may go to great lengths to gain your trust and affection, often speaking to you on the phone, and sending flowers or gifts.
Once the relationship is established, the scammer will make up a story about needing money, often to do with illness or injury with a family member, or to pay for a business investment. Another story is that they are having trouble cashing a cheque where they are. They will ask you for the money as a 'loan' and send that cheque to you as payment. The cheque is always fake.
*Online selling scam
Scammers can pose as buyers or sellers.
For details on these types of scams check this site.
*Investment Scams
Scammers typically offer ‘get rich quick’ schemes, investments-based on ‘secret’ information or special software. They claim to be able to predict the outcomes of sports or share trading. After you pay their expensive fees, you will discover that their claims of past performance and guarantees about future results are false.
For more information on these types of scams check out this page
*Rental Scam
Scammers advertise rental properties on well-known property websites. When you express interest, they say they are overseas or interstate and that you must conduct the transaction online.
The scammers may try to appear genuine by providing photos, real addresses of properties, land title deeds and even scans of stolen passports. They scam you by asking for a month’s bond and rent to secure the property. If you pay by money transfer, there is very little chance of recovering your money.
Scammers also ask for personal details such as bank and credit card numbers and driver’s licence details, which they use for credit card and identify fraud.
Detailed information on scams can be accessed at this page
Clyde described many scams and methods of avoiding them:
Here is some brief advice on avoiding scams
- Be wary of online sellers offering goods and well-known brands at extremely low prices.
- Do not provide an up-front payment to a stranger via money order or wire transfer.
- When selling items online, do not follow the links in a payment notification email to check whether the payment has arrived - log into your account directly.
- With online dating, do not send money to someone you have never met, even if you have spoken to them or received gifts.
- Always inspect a property you want to rent before sending any money.
- Be wary of unsolicited emails, phone calls or letters saying you have unclaimed funds or are owed money.
- Do not let anyone pressure you into making quick investment decisions.
- Never send off money or bank details to claim a prize.
Clyde described some scams in detail, including the following:
* Computer Repair Scam
A person phones you telling you that your computer is putting our dangerous information on to the Internet. They will try to convince you to send them money to fix the problem. They might also attempt to get access to your computer.
The best solution is to hang up immediately. Certainly do not send them money or allow them to gain access to your computer.
* Lottery Scam
Often in the form of an email to inform you that you have won a lottery. In order to receive the prize you have to send money to a bank account.
Here is a link to a discussion of such a scam.
Ignore email, don't send money
*Romance Scam
The scammer builds an online relationship with you, often over weeks, months or years. They may go to great lengths to gain your trust and affection, often speaking to you on the phone, and sending flowers or gifts.
Once the relationship is established, the scammer will make up a story about needing money, often to do with illness or injury with a family member, or to pay for a business investment. Another story is that they are having trouble cashing a cheque where they are. They will ask you for the money as a 'loan' and send that cheque to you as payment. The cheque is always fake.
*Online selling scam
Scammers can pose as buyers or sellers.
For details on these types of scams check this site.
*Investment Scams
Scammers typically offer ‘get rich quick’ schemes, investments-based on ‘secret’ information or special software. They claim to be able to predict the outcomes of sports or share trading. After you pay their expensive fees, you will discover that their claims of past performance and guarantees about future results are false.
For more information on these types of scams check out this page
*Rental Scam
Scammers advertise rental properties on well-known property websites. When you express interest, they say they are overseas or interstate and that you must conduct the transaction online.
The scammers may try to appear genuine by providing photos, real addresses of properties, land title deeds and even scans of stolen passports. They scam you by asking for a month’s bond and rent to secure the property. If you pay by money transfer, there is very little chance of recovering your money.
Scammers also ask for personal details such as bank and credit card numbers and driver’s licence details, which they use for credit card and identify fraud.
Stevie's Scam School
The Consumer Affairs site has entertaining videos describing many of these scams.
Here is one example:
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