by jolly_roger
Sun Sep 05, 2010 7:24 am
September 2010
It now appears scammers are trying to trick elderly people!
Veterans have been asked to be cautious of potential scammers posing as representatives from the Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Scammers are reportedly offering veterans false government services such as free electricity or pension benefits, in exchange for their personal information including banking details and Department of Veterans Affairs client numbers.
The Department is investigating the incidents and is aware of several approaches to veterans in both Victoria and Queensland, warning similar scams may surface in the other states and territories.
Consider this a warning to Australia’s veteran community about this scam.
If you know someone who is a veteran, please pass on the following tips.
* If you receive a phone call or letter asking for your Veterans Affairs client number or banking details, do not provide them. Contact your nearest Veterans Affairs office to confirm the request is legitimate.
* Be cautious if you are contacted unexpectedly by someone claiming to be from ANY government department requesting personal information, always contact the organisation before responding using contact details from a trusted source.
* NEVER give credit card or other personal details to someone you do not know and trust.
* Do not open suspicious or unsolicited emails (spam)—delete them instantly.
* Never send personal and account details via email or enter them into a website unless you are certain it is genuine and secure.
* If you think you have provided your account details to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately.
* If you think you have provided your personal details to a scammer contact the Department.
.
It now appears scammers are trying to trick elderly people!
Veterans have been asked to be cautious of potential scammers posing as representatives from the Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Scammers are reportedly offering veterans false government services such as free electricity or pension benefits, in exchange for their personal information including banking details and Department of Veterans Affairs client numbers.
The Department is investigating the incidents and is aware of several approaches to veterans in both Victoria and Queensland, warning similar scams may surface in the other states and territories.
Consider this a warning to Australia’s veteran community about this scam.
If you know someone who is a veteran, please pass on the following tips.
* If you receive a phone call or letter asking for your Veterans Affairs client number or banking details, do not provide them. Contact your nearest Veterans Affairs office to confirm the request is legitimate.
* Be cautious if you are contacted unexpectedly by someone claiming to be from ANY government department requesting personal information, always contact the organisation before responding using contact details from a trusted source.
* NEVER give credit card or other personal details to someone you do not know and trust.
* Do not open suspicious or unsolicited emails (spam)—delete them instantly.
* Never send personal and account details via email or enter them into a website unless you are certain it is genuine and secure.
* If you think you have provided your account details to a scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately.
* If you think you have provided your personal details to a scammer contact the Department.
.
