Get out there - March 2011 |
Welcome to the Get Out There e-newsletter. This month´s edition is a special Fraud Week themed newsletter.
Scams: it´s personal
Young or old, school student or full time worker, scammers do not care who they target and they can steal information about you in a number of ways. Scammers can steal your identity by obtaining your personal information from your mobile phone, computer or your social network profile. Your stolen identity can be used to gain access to your money or to facilitate other illegal activities online or in the real word.
National Consumer Fraud Week is on from 7 to 13 March 2011 and aims to raise awareness about the personal side of scams and how scams can impact on peoples´ lives.
Who is watching you?
Social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin are a great way to stay in touch with friends, make new friends and to share information about topics you´re interested in. When joining these networks it is important to think about how much information you provide on your profile and to whom. These sites will often offer you options to control the type of information you share with ´friends´ and which ´friends´ you want to interact with. To protect your identity online, follow these tips from the Stay Smart Online website.
Mobile phone security
Mobile phones are becoming more like mobile computers. Mobiles now have features to access the internet and send emails, download games and applications and store photos and personal contacts. These features also make your phone at risk to viruses and malicious software. If your phone isn´t secure and it is lost or stolen, your personal information including passwords, banking details, emails and photos could be used to access your money or to steal your identity. Read more information on how to make your mobile phone secure at the Stay Smart Online website.
Is your computer secure?
It is important to keep your computer secure otherwise you could be putting yourself or even your friends and family at risk. If malicious software infects your computer it can stop it working properly, can delete or corrupt your files and can allow others to access your computer and your confidential information. Having up-to-date security software installed and activated, securing your internet connections and understanding the emails and files you receive or download can help reduce these risks. Learn more about computer security.
Protect yourself
You can protect yourself from scams by following these tips:
• Protect your identity - keep your details private. Treat your personal details as you would money, don´t leave them lying around for others to take. Never send banking details by email or text. Change your password regularly.
• Don´t respond - ignore or delete suspicious emails, letters, phone calls or text messages. Always check the link you´re clicking on is what it seems. You can view the link by hovering your mouse icon over it and it should appear in the bottom left hand corner of your screen.
• Don´t let scammer push your buttons - scammers will play on your emotions to get what they want. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
• Resist the personal touch - watch out for scammers posing as someone you know or pretending to know you. People are not always who they say they are. Think about the information you provide online and limit the amount of people you accept as your ´friends´.
Visit the Australian Government´s SCAMwatch website for more information about National Consumer Fraud Week or visit the Office of Fair Trading website for more tips on how to protect yourself from scams and fraud.
Report it
If you have spotted or have been victim of a scam, contact the Office of Fair Trading by completing the online form.
The Office of Fair Trading is now on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube
The Office of Fair Trading is now using social networking sites to reach our clients and promote our services. Our Twitter channel and Facebook page will provide alerts and supplement the information we publish on our website. You can also visit our YouTube channel to watch the product safety video.
Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
Stay in touch with Get out there
As you begin the next phase of your lives after school, remember to visit Get out there for information on a variety of topics. Learn about finding the right job, starting university, renting your first place, buying a car or buying a house.
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Last reviewed 18/03/2011 |
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