Embarrassment, humiliation and under-reporting are valuable assets in a scamster's repertoire, according to speakers at the first national Consumer Fraud Forum, held today in Melbourne.
The forum kicks off Consumer Fraud Week, a major initiative of the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce (ACFT) in an effort to raise awareness of the many types of fraud which can cost thousands and have a devastating impact on people and their families.
International fraud expert and Professor of Criminology at Cardiff University, Michael Levi, gave the key note address this morning.
"Keeping your embarrassment to yourself perpetuates frauds and allows the problem to grow. People should see it as a public duty and get satisfaction from their civic mindedness when they report these events," he said.
"We should be shouting: I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore, just like Peter Finch in the movie, Network.
"Politicians and bureaucracies should take it much more seriously because people are really concerned about the impact of scams."
He also described the expanding opportunities in fraud presented by new internet technologies.
"Scamsters know that by operating across jurisdictions, whether states or countries, they are lengthening the chain, making discovery, investigation and any cost recovery that much harder.
"What is critical is that there is international cooperation both in prevention and investigation so that we can reduce the time taken, and as a result save people money and distress," he said.
Other speakers at the forum detailed the emotional impact on individuals of being scammed.
Mr Mike Kiley, of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, described these consequences as being worse for many than the financial loss.
He told of loss of trust, destructive tension between family members, and even an overwhelming sense of guilt, as some of the implications of involvement with a scam.
The ACFT brings together 19 state based and national organisations from Australia and New Zealand to enhance enforcement, share information and raise awareness with consumers.
For more information about the Fraud Forum, scams and National Consumer Fraud Week, or to report a scam, visit www.scamwatch.gov.au or call 1300 795 995.