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Protect yourself from scams

Protect yourself against scammerswomanboxing

  • DON’T RESPOND - Ignore suspicious emails, letters, house visits, phone calls or SMS – press ‘delete’, throw them out, shut the door or just hang up

  • WATCH OUT FOR SLICK TRICKS - Scammers use sophisticated tricks to fool you such as fake websites, glossy brochures, technical jargon or posing as someone that you know and trust – don’t fall for them!

  • DON’T LET SCAMMERS PUSH YOUR BUTTONS - Scammers will play on your emotions to get what they want

  • PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY - Your personal details are private and invaluable – keep them that way and away from scammers

  • SUBSCRIBE to ScamNet Alerts and keep up to date on recent scams targeting Western Australians

10 Steps Guide to Protecting Your Personal Information

Some good advice about protecting your personal details, from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner

How safe is your computer?

20 August 2012 Video article from Perth Now: CYBER CRIME cost Australian's $4.8 billion last year. A computer expert demonstrates just how easily you could become a victim, and what you can do to prevent it.

Here are some general tips for computer, tablet or smartphone users to help you avoid online traps. 

  • Make sure you have an up to date firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware software and back up important data regularly.
  • Check web addresses are secure (look for https and the closed padlock symbol).
  • Make sure sites are not fake versions – type the known URL in to your browser.
  • Stop and think before clicking links or opening attachments.
  • Do not respond to emails asking you to update secure personal information or to stop accounts from being deactivated etc. The link is likely to activate malware (malicious software) so that your identity details can be stolen.
  • Change all passwords regularly using strong letter and number combinations and different passwords for different uses.
  • Always log out after each online banking session.
  • Take care when transacting online – use safe payment methods e.g. secure systems like Paypal and avoid wire (money) transfer systems which are virtually untraceable. 

For more information on cyber security, check out www.cyber.gov.au.

Internet Scams: How to Protect Yourself

Launched as part of the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce’s National Consumer Fraud Week 2011 campaign... Internet Scams: How to Protect Yourself are a series of consumer education videos created by the WA Deaf Society and funded through the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) Community Grants Program.

These videos are produced in Auslan (Australian Sign Language) and are designed to create awareness among Deaf consumers about what to be careful of when using the internet. These videos focus on online romance, lottery and credit card scams.

These videos were produced collaboratively through workshops with members of the Deaf community, consultation with experts and literature research.

For further information please visit the ACCAN website www.accan.org.au