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.