Scams Awareness Week 2023

This Scams Awareness Week (27 November – 1 December 2023), we are encouraging the veteran community to be on alert for scams impersonating government organisations, including DVA. 

Scams imitating departments and services such as the Australian Tax Office or MyGov are increasingly common and can be received by phone, email or SMS. If you do receive digital correspondence, don’t automatically assume the person you are dealing with is who they say they are. Ask yourself, “who’s really there?”

It is important to protect your personal information online and be vigilant about what information you share publically. Don’t click on links received in text messages. Never open or download any attachments or apps from unfamiliar sources as these can install malicious software on your computer or phone and provide access to your personal information.

Scammers impersonating a government department or law enforcement agency may also try to threaten you with arrest or ask you to pay money. Immediately cut contact with anyone who tries to threaten or intimidate you and contact the agency they claim to be from.

We urge you to “STOP, THINK, PROTECT”.

STOP – do not give money or personal information unless you are sure you are speaking with a legitimate agency.

THINK – ask yourself, could the message or call be fake?

PROTECT – act quickly if something feels wrong.

Scammers are very good at what they do and appear very convincing. Don’t open or download any attachments or apps, don’t transfer money to another account to “keep it safe”, and cut ties immediately with anyone who threatens or intimidates you.

If you are unsure or think you may have been the victim of a scam, act immediately. Contact the Police and file a report with the National Anti-Scam Centre via Scamwatch.gov.au

The National Anti-Scam Centre has published a guide with links to resources that can help you protect your personal information online.

For more information visit the Scamwatch page here