Summary: Ever been offered a free product with purchase online, in-store or through a telemarketer, like a phone or tablet, or something that just sounds ‘too good to be true’? Well, it usually is!

Published: 30 November 2016

Transcript

AUNTY BERYL'S HALLWAY. A KNOCK ON THE DOOR. AUNTY BERYL ANSWERS.

AUNTY BERYL: Nephew, Good Morning.

Come in, we’ll have a cup of tea.

BILL: Oh thanks, Aunty.

BILL'S PHONE RINGS.  (Phone rings)

BILL: Hello? Yes? This is him. Really, an iPad? And what do I have to do?

Pay a hundred dollars and sign up for promotions?

Too deadly! How about that Aunty, I just scored me an iPad.

AUNTY BERYL: You’re looking pleased with yourself. Who you been talking to?

BILL: A lady. She sounded real nice. I’ve got an iPad coming in the post next week.

AUNTY BERYL:  Ahh, don’t tell me Nephew, you’ve been sucked in by one of them, scams?

BILL: Nah, you’ll see, she definitely said I got an iPad, for signing up and paying $100 for special offers.

AUNTY BERYL:  They saw you coming Nephew. You've got to be more careful.

BILL: You’ve got to be more trusting Aunty. She sounded real genuine. I could tell.

AUNTY BERYL:  You mark my words Nephew, if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

AUNTY BERYL'S LAUNDRY. BILL IS FIXING THE WASHING MACHINE. (Banging)

AUNTY BERYL: Nephew, you fixed that leak yet?

BILL: Hang on Aunty, I’ve just got the answer. Look here Aunty. We can get a new washing machine for five dollars a week. Might do this than try and fix it.

AUNTY BERYL: Hmmm…Let’s have a look at the small print first. Right, let’s see, theres…

Five dollars a week...For five years. Some interest…Comes to…Two thousand dollars!

BILL: True? Then I better get back to fixing this then eh Aunty.

AUNTY BERYL:  Good idea.

AUNTY BERYL'S KITCHEN.  BILL IS LOOKING AT HIS FACEBOOK FEED ON HIS PHONE.

BILL: Wow, thirty dollars for a pair of designer sunnies!

AUNTY BERYL:  Scam.

BILL PUTS HIS PHONE AWAY.

AUNTY BERYL:  Nephew. Over there. You missed a bit.

A SALESMAN IN A SUIT AND HAT WITH A BRIEF CASE COMES UP THE WALK.

SALESMAN: Hello Aunty. Have you got a minute to talk about a great offer I have for you.

AUNTY BERYL:  I’m not your Aunty, get off my yard. Get out of my yard, get out of my yard! Jeez…Salesmen...There you go Nephew, that's how it's done. 

ONE WEEK LATER. BILL KNOCKS ON THE AUNTY’S DOOR.

AUNTY BERYL: Nephew, Good Morning.

BILL: It’s here, it’s here.

AUNTY BERYL: What are you on about?

BILL: My iPad!

AUNTY BERYL: Come on in and show me.

BILL: I told you Aunty.

AUNTY BERYL:  What are you on about? You were right Nephew, It is an eye pad! (Laughs)

BILL: Oh well…What do you think Aunty?

AUNTY BERYL:  Oh, it’s great, it suits you! As I told you Nephew, if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

BILL:  It doesn’t matter if it’s a free iPad or a cheap deal online, always remember, if something sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

AUNTY BERYL:  If you are worried, or just want to have a yarn, about scams and things that sound too good to be true,  give ACCC a call on 1300 303 143.

TEXT ON THE SCREEN: ACCC Indigenous Info Line 1300 302 143 www.accc.gov.au

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