The ACCC along with more than 350 partners – including Coles and Woolworths – are fighting against scams in this year’s Scams Awareness Week (8-12 November).
Under the theme ‘let’s talk scams’, this year’s campaign aims to encourage open and honest conversations about scams to help people detect, prevent, and avoid scams.
ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard says the more we talk about scams, the more awareness we have, and the harder it is for scammers to steal our money or personal information.
“There is no need to feel ashamed or embarrassed about being scammed, because it can happen to anyone,” she says, “but sharing your experiences with others can help disrupt and prevent scams.”
According to the ACCC, Australians have already lost over $236 million to scams this year.
While people aged 65 and older still have the highest losses (15.6%) and are losing the most money, an increasing number of reports are coming from younger age groups.
People aged 35 to 44 have had the second highest number of reports (15.3%). This is followed by people aged 25 to 34 (14.4%).
“Scams are becoming more and more sophisticated, using technology to make their scams even harder to detect,” says Ms Rickard.
“Scammers adapt and in a moment of inattention, it is unfortunately all too easy for even the most careful person to click on a message or fall for another type of scam. But your experience can help warn others to be even more careful.
“This Scams Awareness Week, I want to encourage everyone to have a conversation about scams. Talk to people around you, your friends, family, and colleagues. The more we all know about them and how to avoid them, the less likely scammers will succeed.”
