Today marks the start of National Consumer Fraud Week, a government-backed initiative against fraudsters who use the mail and internet to target unsuspecting consumers and try to rip them off.In welcoming the launch of the week, which runs from 2 to 8 March, Minister for Broadband, Communications and Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy said the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce is promoting strategies for addressing common scams.
“It is important to remember, if an offer you receive looks too good to be true, it probably is,” Conroy said.
The Australian Government has developed a number of resources to assist consumers and businesses protect themselves against scams.
“One of the best ways Australians can protect themselves online is to sign up to the Stay Smart Online alert service,” said Senator Conroy. “The service provides simple, up-to-date advice on online security threats and scams.”
Formed in 2005, the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce comprises 18 government regulatory agencies and departments in Australia and New Zealand that work together to protect consumers from fraud and scams. Its work is strongly supported by a wide range of private sector partners.
