As the federal election draws near, the air is thick with political debates, campaign promises, and unfortunately, the increased risk of scams. The Customer Owned Banking Association (COBA) is sounding the alarm for Australians to stay vigilant against the cunning tactics of scammers who are poised to take advantage of the election fervour.
Scammers are known to be opportunistic, and the heightened public interest in politics during an election provides them with the perfect cover to launch a variety of deceptive schemes. These can range from phishing emails and purported electoral roll updates.
‘The only way to truly protect yourself is to be vigilant with any type of unsolicited contact—even if it looks legitimate,’ COBA Head of Financial Crimes and Cyber Resilience Martin Latimer warns.
Scammers are expected to ramp up their efforts, targeting voters with deceptive requests for personal information under the guise of electoral roll updates. It’s not uncommon to see a surge in text messages or emails masquerading as political candidates or parties, luring you to click on links that could unleash harmful software onto your devices.
Phishing scams, a prevalent form of cybercrime, are meticulously crafted to steal your personal details, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card information. These fraudsters are adept at impersonating trusted entities, including official government agencies, and they reach out through emails, phone calls, or text messages.
The websites and emails they craft are often convincing replicas, complete with the branding and logos of the institutions they’re pretending to be.
Urgent language is another tool in their arsenal. Phrases like ‘Immediate action required’ or ‘Failure to Vote penalty warning’ are designed to create panic and prompt hasty actions without giving you time to think.
‘Never click on links in unsolicited text messages or emails, and don’t open attachments from unknown senders—they may contain malware,’ Latimer advises.
He also cautions that even when a message appears to come from a trustworthy source, you should not rely on the contact details provided. Instead, take the time to visit the organisation’s official website independently to verify the sender’s information.
If you find yourself the target of a scam or have already fallen victim, it’s crucial to report it to ScamWatch.gov.au. Doing so can help protect others from falling into the same trap. Remember the mantra ‘Stop. Check. Protect’ to safeguard yourself against these nefarious activities.
Meanwhile, customer-owned banks are not standing idly by. They are actively working to shield their customers from scams and fraud. One such initiative is the banking industry’s Scam-Safe Accord, which represents a united front against scammers and reinforces the sector’s commitment to bolstering consumer protection.
Scammers are counting on the chaos of the election season to catch people off guard. By staying alert and informed, you could strengthen your defence against these fraudsters.
We’d love to hear from you, our YourLifeChoices readers, about any experiences you’ve had with election-related scams or any additional tips you might have for avoiding them. Sharing your stories can help create a community of informed and protected voters. Drop us a comment below and let’s keep the conversation going.
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