Guidance and information

The little black book of scams fact sheets

The ACCC has developed three fact sheets to complement material covered in The little black book of scams. The fact sheets are designed to raise community awareness of the most common scams targeting consumers and to help consumers to protect themselves from being ripped off by scammers. Each fact sheet contains a series of tricks and facts to help identify the work of scammers.

Lotteries, sweepstakes and competition scams warns consumers about claims they have won large amounts of prize money in competitions or lotteries they have not entered. These offers are designed to lure consumers to part with money or personal information to claim prizes they never receive. 

Money transfer scams warns consumers to be careful when they receive offers to help someone transfer funds from an overseas source (advance fee fraud or Nigerian scams). Details of variations to this scam such as bogus job opportunities, inheritance and overpayment scams are also provided.

Phishing scams provides information on how scammers try and trick consumers into handing over personal and banking details. The fact sheet uncovers the ways scammers use emails and a combination of genuine and spoofed websites to rip off consumers.

The fact sheets can be downloaded from the ACCC website or by calling the ACCC Infocentre on 1300 302 502.

Unconscionable conduct—ACCC seeks small business input

The ACCC is currently working with the Council of Small Business Organisations of Australia to gather information on small business’ understanding and experience of unconscionable conduct. The information received will be used to develop educative materials for the small business sector.

Small businesses interested in participating can do so by completing the online survey that is available as a Hot topic on the For Business page of the ACCC’s website.