Consumer protection agencies from around the world will join forces for the next 48 hours to launch an international assault on scams in spam* and on the internet.
The annual International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network's (ICPEN**) internet sweep, coordinated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, will aim to uncover scams that use spam and the internet to lure victims.
The ACCC will lead the simultaneous sweep involving 76 agencies from 25 countries including participants from the London Action Plan (LAP***) against spam.
Joining the ACCC will also be 'sweepers' from the Australian Communications Authority, the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Office of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading, Tasmania, Consumer Affairs Victoria, The Office of Consumer & Business Affairs, South Australia and NSW Office of Fair Trading.
ACCC Deputy Chair, Ms Louise Sylvan, said cooperation with overseas counterparts and other Australian agencies is crucial in combating the spread of fraudulent and deceptive scams online.
"Scammers have evolved with technology and will pretend to be either people in need or legitimate organisations. Scams will prey on aspirations to be desirable, rich, clever and compassionate".
Ms Sylvan said the Sweep Day will culminate ACCC's involvement in the ICPEN's Scam Awareness Month (ScAM).
"Consumers are still being caught out and the month long focus on scams aims to arm consumers with the knowledge and skills to recognise, report and stop scams".
Some simple tips to avoid getting caught are:
Take a reality check – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is
Learn to recognise a scam – watch out for promises of instant wealth, lottery wins, quick-fix diets; cheap loans and other 'free' gifts
Be alert – do not hand over your personal details to spammers
Be wary – if you are asked to transfer money especially to gain money, don't!
Protect your computer – use up to date software, firewalls and spam filters
Get help – if in doubt ask around, get professional advice
Report scams/spam – find out where you can report scams and spam
And in particular
Never click on the links
Australian consumers can report scams by calling the ACCC Infocentre on 1300 302 502, filling out a complaints form at the ACCC's slam-a-cyberscam webpage or registering an overseas scam at www.econsumer.gov.
The ACCC's Internet Sweep Headquarters will be based in the Canberra ACCC office. Other ACCC regional sweep centres will be based in Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart, Perth, Darwin and Brisbane.
Media inquiries
Ms Louise Sylvan, Deputy Chair, (02) 6243 1138 or 0410 610 326
Additional contacts
Mr Brent Rebecca, Media Unit, (02) 6243 1317
General inquiries
Infocentre 1300 302 502
Release # MR 028/05
Issued: 22nd February 2005
Background
*Spam Spam is 'unsolicited commercial electronic messaging'
Unsolicited junk email is prohibited under Australia's new Spam Act which is administered by the Australian Communications Authority. Report spam at www.spam.aca.gov.au
**International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network Current member countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, EU, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea (Republic of), Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, OECD, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, USA. For more details visit the ICPEN website www.icpen.org.
***London Action Plan The London Action Plan (LAP) underpins an informal international network for spam enforcers and industry representatives and was developed by the United States Federal Trade Commission and the United Kingdom Office of Fair Trading to curb the activities of international spammers.
The LAP draws together government agencies and private sector organisations in 21 countries and aims to encourage communication and coordination between members to achieve efficient and effective enforcement of anti-spam laws.
