Scams
SCAMS – What you need to know
A scam is a trick. Scammers target people via email, phone or sometimes-in person.
A Scammer’s goal is to get your personal or financial details or to pressure you to help with illegal or criminal activities.
Scammers may steal directly from you or use your personal or financial details to commit other crimes including fraud and identity theft.
There are many types of scams and the types keep growing. Common examples include: making job or rental offers, threatening legal action or claiming you have money related problems – such as tax debt, money owed or outstanding fines.
Sometimes a scam comes via phone or email from a bank or company asking to ‘check’ your details. Scammers also target those who are looking for love via online romance scams.
New COVID-19 related scams have been widely circulating. Scamwatch has received over 1000 COVID-19-related scam reports since the pandemic began.
Currently, common scams include – phishing for personal information, online shopping and superannuation scams.
Find out more
Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC) is here to help, so if you are worried you have been scammed or are just not sure, you can:
- Make an appointment with an ECLC Lawyer to get legal advice – call 1300 32 52 00 (1300 ECLC 00)
- Read ECLC’s Common scams booklet:
- Watch the following ECLC videos about common scams (English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Falam Chin, Karen, Hakha Chin, Zomi, Mizo)
