Scams, frauds and your business: Competing Fairly Forum

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, today launched the latest of the Commission's Competing Fairly Forums, Scams, frauds and your business at today's COSBOA National Small Business Summit.

"The ACCC plays an active role in investigating and prosecuting scamsters", he said. "The Trade Practices Act contains many provisions that prohibit different forms of scam conduct and the ACCC enforces those provisions".

There are three main types of scams most likely to impact on small businesses:

• false invoicing scams
• business start-up scams, and
• e-commerce scams

Each of these is examined in detail in this CFF forum and discussed by a panel of prominent small business, franchising and e-commerce industry representatives.

False invoicing scams, aimed at tricking businesses into paying for goods or services they do not want, or have not received, often target small businesses in the hope that operators are too busy with running their business to make proper inquiries when they receive new invoices.

Business start-up scams offer the chance to get rich quick for very little effort or to join an existing business structure, perhaps in the guise of a franchising opportunity, where your success is 'guaranteed'.

Small business people are also vulnerable to the many and varied e-commerce scams that target almost everyone who logs on each day.

"The ACCC urges all businesses, and consumers, to be alert and protect themselves by doing research and seeking advice when they are considering new offers or opportunities", Mr Samuel said. "A key message of this forum is that if an opportunity looks too good to be true, it usually is".

Mr Samuel also said that information and education that will help prevent people falling victim to scams is clearly the most effective way of dealing with the issue.

The forum is moderated by Ms Emma Alberici, from the ABC's The 7.30 Report, and the panel comprises Mr Samuel; Mr Chris Peters, Chief executive of the ACT and Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry; franchising consultant Mr Jason Gehrke; Ms Wendy Phillips, of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia; and Mr Peter Coroneos, Chief executive of the Internet Industry Association.

Screenings of CFF: Scams, frauds and your business will be presented by the ACCC's regional Outreach network and can be arranged by contacting the ACCC Small Business Helpline on 1300 302 021.