Newsletter for the Rotary Club of Greater Geraldton - Issue No.: 782 Issue Date: 29 Apr, 2024

Pete Svensson introduced  Danni Bloomfield, Senior Regional Officer, Dept. of Commerce, who gave us a very informative presentation on “Scams and YOU”.

Over the last year scams have cost the W.A public $9.8 million in losses, the majority of these in Romance ($4.9 million). This averages out at $21,000 per person.

Over the years scammers have perfected their craft and we saw an example of a very smart Commonwealth Bank scam.

Methods of scamming include:

Deceive and Thieve, Red Hot Deals (Financial Windfall, Online bargains, Itinerant Traders, Scammers), Urgent Threats (Legal action, Help me emails, Windows scams, Ransomware), Phishing (Copycat websites, pop up comps, unsecure wifi hotspots, fake surveys/researchers)

Ways of Prevention:

Do Not Call Register: www.donotcall.gov.au

Do Not Knock sticker

Protect Your Money: Never wire or transfer money to someone you have never met. Beware of money mules (Acting on someone else’s behalf)

Online Accounts: Use secure passwords

Protect Your Computer: Make sure you have an up to date firewall.

Online Shopping: Do your research.

Beware of ID Theft: Drivers Licence, Cards, etc.

Talk About It: With staff, friends, networks.

Hugh Lavery extended a vote of thanks to Danni for her very informative presentation.