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Scamming - what effect does it have on you?

The latest news from Cafestudy

Posted by: Caféstudy

20th Feb 2015 10:22am

Recently we asked you about your experiences with scammers. We wondered what kind of scams you have received, and what you do about it.
Scamming has become so varied and widespread that almost all of you could recall at least one recent incident. The most common type of scams you mentioned were emails telling the recipient they were entitled to money in some way, and should send their personal details through in order to claim it. Big companies which scammers claimed to be from included Microsoft, Telstra, Optus and several of the banks. Some people even received emails telling them to change their bank or login details because they had already been scammed!

It seems however that you are quickly cottoning on to these ploys, and are sceptical of any communications asking for personal information. Overseas calls in particular are viewed with suspicion. Scamming has become so common and you are so aware of it that some of you even wonder if the genuine communications are scams. As one of you said “I have received genuine emails that I thought were scams and I only realised when the bank actually sent me a letter by snail mail!”

So what are you doing about it? Well, you are turning to the companies which the scammers are claiming to represent. We found that scamming is in fact increasing consumer trust in the big companies, with people turning to them for help in the fight against scammers. Goodwill is high; you recognise it is not the company’s fault. Maggie said specifically of Telstra that “it does not make me mistrust Telstra more as it is not Telstra’s fault that people are out there pretending to be them.” Macgyver7 said “it has brought me closer to Telstra, because of the sound advice by a staff officer.”The fight against scammers could just be a useful tool in building a bridge of trust between you, the consumers, and the big companies.

Comments 22

chickenman
  • 19th May 2016 08:04pm

getting better at picking scammers now; really enjoy stringing them along and confusing them.

afn1960
  • 12th Aug 2015 10:47am

What about other types of scams like dating sites??
When I was single I tried almost every dating site on the net but found Scammers in each and everyone, it soon became an obsession to join every dating site and expose the Scammers.
But Each and Every dating site were not interested , they did nothing about it and yet they are still on the internet.
I lost over $6000 to the Scammers on dating sites and no one wants to do a thing about it and shut them down , no way to get my money back cause the Authorities dont give a damn either

frilly
  • 14th Sep 2015 12:54am
What about other types of scams like dating sites??
When I was single I tried almost every dating site on the net but found Scammers in each and everyone, it soon became an obsession to join...

Spent oer 30mins writing about a scam & it just disappeared. Where they go. My hands are too painful to do it all again The technicians say it is there somewhere Well Cafe Study can yo ind it?
Seriously my fingers are so full of pain now for nothing
frilly

Jimmyboynsw
  • 1st Jul 2015 04:31pm

I seem to be spending more time sending scams to the organisation they purport to be so that action can be taken to stop these criminals

jacquiSmith91
  • 21st Jun 2015 06:50pm

I have had Job scams - Travelsolut.. Signed contracts, did training and then nothing.
Next job scam out of local newspaper.. Solar panels data entry- went to interview with 5 others, yet again signed contract, bank details.. Wed- interview.. Heard nothing for 3 days.. Finally rang the boss Doug Shore who was sick in bed and was mad I had rang about job., rang my rep he told me to look for another job.. Still haven't heard back from either So scammers are everywhere.. It sucks cos I just want a job..

Burnt Out Digger
  • 26th Apr 2015 06:51pm

Unfortunately, some people do fall victim to scams on the internet. One must exercise care and caution as well as ensuring that their antivirus software is up to date.

shelly47
  • 17th Apr 2015 01:59pm

Hi just noting I have been subjected to a scam with replying to an invitation to complete a survey for Woolworths. As I am a member for Woolwoths Everyday Rewards program and have regular e mails sent from them I was unaware that it was a hoax email asking to do a survey about customer care! I filled in the questions which required giving bank details so they could send a reward of $30 for doing the survey. I had previously been sent an email with a deal to do shopping for 3 weeks and spend a minimum $100 each wk to receive a $30 reward, so I was naive to think this new email was legitimate. They said it could take 4 to 6 weeks to receive the reward and when nothing came through I stRted to be a bit concerned. After checking out the Woolworths webpage I found a warning about it being a scam! I then had txt on my mobile stating my visa debit card had been suspended as someone had tried to use details to purchase airline tickets for more than $1200 and there was insufficient funds in my account to cover and it looked suspicious. So I rang my bank and they said I was very lucky that I had only a small balance in my account and that I had been scammed. I then had to get new cards and change my PIN numbers etc. and notify the ICAC and Woolworths concerning the scam.
I would recommend everyone to be very careful in future and if you use a bank account to receive survey rewards to only leave a small balance in this account to be safe. It can happen to anyone!

Migaloo
  • 18th Mar 2016 08:18pm
I get an email about once a day telling me I have been selected to receive somebodies inheritance all I need to do is give them my name address and bank details if I am stupid enough to do that I...

Yes l have a quiet a few of those , some ones got cancer they want me to distribute 1 million to the poor , of course they need the bank account number to put it in and then aim to strip the bank account of course , l am a wise old owl not that stupid either , often they can not spell correctly too these scammers , a dead give away as well.

shelly47
  • 25th Sep 2015 02:53pm
I always thought I was pretty careful and could usually pick a scam from a mile away, but I too was caught out by an email from a company I have a membership with. Of course this was from another...

Hi Jools, yes it was pretty scary and annoying to be scammed! I must say I am very much more cautious now. Take care!

shelly47
  • 25th Sep 2015 02:51pm
I get an email about once a day telling me I have been selected to receive somebodies inheritance all I need to do is give them my name address and bank details if I am stupid enough to do that I...

Hi loctent,
Yes I have had these too, but they are more obviously a scam! Unfortunately some of the emails scams are very clever and use titles of other companies that you already have a trust with... So stay safe and aware it can happen to you!

joolsc7
  • 25th Sep 2015 01:55pm
Hi just noting I have been subjected to a scam with replying to an invitation to complete a survey for Woolworths. As I am a member for Woolwoths Everyday Rewards program and have regular e mails...

I always thought I was pretty careful and could usually pick a scam from a mile away, but I too was caught out by an email from a company I have a membership with. Of course this was from another scammer just claiming to be from this company. I ended up with a Trojan virus and a lot of expense to get my computer up and running again. Now, if a I get a legitimate / or scam, email from a company I have a membership with, I am very suspicious, and usually log into the company's legitimate website and ask them to confirm whether or not they have sent me an email regarding this matter.

slivereyes
  • 22nd May 2015 09:12am
I get an email about once a day telling me I have been selected to receive somebodies inheritance all I need to do is give them my name address and bank details if I am stupid enough to do that I...

But now they ask more for you credit card details. Be careful anyone can get scammed.

loctent
  • 26th Apr 2015 08:22pm
Hi just noting I have been subjected to a scam with replying to an invitation to complete a survey for Woolworths. As I am a member for Woolwoths Everyday Rewards program and have regular e mails...

I get an email about once a day telling me I have been selected to receive somebodies inheritance all I need to do is give them my name address and bank details if I am stupid enough to do that I deserve to be scammed

Emae
  • 12th Apr 2015 10:08am

If it's too good to be true, it's obviously a scam

Especially when they phone you or send you an email saying: " you took part in a survey & have won a prize" or Congratulating you for being selected as a winner etc etc...I question them hard over the phone (if contacted) what day did I do the survey? Which shopping centre were it at? Do they have the original copy of the form I supposedly filled out etc etc...they try to skip by repeatedly saying I've won something without answering the questions, then I tell them not to contact the # or email address or I'll report them...they 100% of the time hang up! lol...

jacquiSmith91
  • 21st Jun 2015 06:54pm
If it's too good to be true, it's obviously a scam

Especially when they phone you or send you an email saying: " you took part in a survey & have won a prize" or Congratulating you for...

When completing surveys on iPhone .. I take a pic of completed form

JacquesSussmann
  • 12th May 2015 10:20pm
Have received emails saying I have won prizes in many different competitions but they want $1 delivery fee Ha Ha what a scam they just want your Cr card details.

I usually pay via paypal and thus avoid being scammed

youi
  • 27th Apr 2015 08:01pm
If it's too good to be true, it's obviously a scam

Especially when they phone you or send you an email saying: " you took part in a survey & have won a prize" or Congratulating you for...

Have received emails saying I have won prizes in many different competitions but they want $1 delivery fee Ha Ha what a scam they just want your Cr card details.

youi
  • 27th Apr 2015 08:01pm
If it's too good to be true, it's obviously a scam

Especially when they phone you or send you an email saying: " you took part in a survey & have won a prize" or Congratulating you for...

Have received emails saying I have won prizes in many different competitions but they want $1 delivery fee Ha Ha what a scam they just want your Cr card details.

youi
  • 27th Apr 2015 08:01pm
If it's too good to be true, it's obviously a scam

Especially when they phone you or send you an email saying: " you took part in a survey & have won a prize" or Congratulating you for...

Have received emails saying I have won prizes in many different competitions but they want $1 delivery fee Ha Ha what a scam they just want your Cr card details.

alikisweetie
  • 29th Mar 2015 11:34am

I don't get affected as i am educated in computers enough to sense a scam a mile away

careful
  • 21st Mar 2015 01:45am

I have Norton security and they are very good at picking up scammers, each industry have a way you can e-mail the scam letter to them and they try to resolve the problem. I am sorry if this is not help

jacquiSmith91
  • 21st Jun 2015 06:51pm
I have Norton security and they are very good at picking up scammers, each industry have a way you can e-mail the scam letter to them and they try to resolve the problem. I am sorry if this is not...

Norton isn't the best either.. Microsoft Essentials is the Best security and it's Free.. ������������