Beware of sophisticated credit card scams, consumers advised by Sam Gooch

As scammers use increasingly sophisticated ways of targeting people, Aussies are urged to take preventative measures in protecting their finances.



Consumers need to be vigilant in ensuring that their credit card details and other pieces of financial information do not fall into the wrong hands.



The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) stated that 2008 saw a 60 per cent rise in the number of scams reported - with this year thus far recording a similar increase.



And although people are spotting instances of where fraudsters target their bank accounts and credit cards more often, keeping out a careful eye for scams was advised.



"What we're finding is that the way in which the scams are constructed is increasingly sophisticated and fast-moving. The scams look more professional and can be very clever in the way they seek to separate people from their money or personal details," Peter Kell, deputy chair of the ACCC, told News Limited newspapers.



Mr Kell, who is also chair of the Australasian Consumer Fraud Taskforce, added that current attempts at identity theft include offering non-existent jobs as criminals looking to expand "into areas that consumers don't expect to be the source of scams".



He went on to point out that emails relating to the recent deaths of Michael Jackson and Patrick Swayze and those offering cash rewards in return for filling out credit card details on a bogus Visa study are other popular ways that cybercriminals look to defraud people.



But it is not just email messages that consumers should be wary of.



Delia Rickard, senior executive leader for financial literacy and consumers at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, stated that people should avoid giving out personal information to unsolicited telephone callers.



Indeed, those who receive a phone call in which they are asked about their financial details are advised to hang up immediately and get in touch with their bank.



Such Australian banking guidance comes as commissioner Bob Atkinson of the Queensland Police Service recently advised that people take steps to protect their transaction accounts and other financial products from fraudsters "in the ever-changing world of technology".


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