Threat-based scams on the rise
Australians have lost over $8.8 million to threat based scams so far this year.
Threat based scammers often pretend to be from government departments and rely on fear, intimidation and people’s instinct to comply with authority, to scam victims.
These scams are mainly phone-based and impersonate various officials, such as police, ATO officers or government investigators.
“These losses can be devastating and they can also lead to a loss of trust in authority, meaning victims of threat based scams may be less likely to seek help or advice from legitimate agencies in the future,” said Australian Competition and Consumer Commission deputy chair Delia Rickard.
So far this year Scamwatch has received over 18,000 reports of these scams, an increase of 40 per cent compared to reports across all of 2019.
Chinese authority scams comprised 74 per cent of all losses to threat based scams, over $6.5 million.
These scams target Mandarin-speakers in Australian and impersonate authorities such as the Chinese embassy, police or other government officials.
“Threat based scams disproportionately impact people with English as a second language,” Ms Rickard said.
“Victims will often provide personal information to scammers, as they believe they are dealing with a government agency, and this can lead to identity theft or falling victim to further scams.”
Scamwatch has recorded an increase in robo-calls impersonating government agencies, such as the Department of Home Affairs or Services Australia, which claim the victim is under investigation and to ‘Dial 1’ to speak to an investigator.
“Government departments will never send pre-recorded messages to your phone or threaten you with immediate arrest,” Ms Rickard said.
“If you’re not sure whether a call is legitimate, hang up and call the organisation directly by finding their details through an independent search.
“Never send money or give credit card details or personal information to anyone you don’t know or trust and never by email or over the phone.”
Have you received a robo-call from an agency threatening you with imprisonment? How did you handle the call?
"Have you received a robo-call from an agency threatening you with imprisonment? How did you handle the call?"
Yes, we have received the usual call from someone claiming to be from the ATO with the threat of imprisonment if we don't immediately disclose our personal details. The number from which the call originates is an ACT number and is close to the official ATO number. They're getting very sneaky this mob but our response is always the same; hang up.