Net Scam

Source: http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/ConsumerProtection/scamnet/content/pages/FightBack/email_scams.html 

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Email scams

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The Internet and email has led to a rise in unsolicited and unwanted spam and scams.
 
- Do not open email from unknown people. Delete them from your in-box.


- Do not click on links contained in unsolicited emails, including unsubscribe links. It might be directing you to a site where malicious software can be downloaded into your computer.

- Familiarise yourself with the tricks scammers use to get you to click on links including bank phishing, confirmation and e-greeting emails.

- Just because an email is personally addressed to you, it doesn't mean it's legitimate. There are a number of ways that clever scammers can make the email appear as if it is personally addressed to you. For example, they can install a program in the email they send out to capture your Display Name and embed it in a template email;

- Be aware that scammers can hijack other people’s address boxes to send spam or scams so the email could appear to come from someone you know. If someone sends you a link like this ask them why? We would suggest you send a fresh email to them rather than reply to the suspect email you have received.

- Make sure your computer has the latest anti-virus and firewall protections.

- Safeguard your email address by only providing your email contact details to people or organisations that you know and trust.

- If you have fallen for a phishing scam and provided your online bank details, change your password and contact your financial institution. Similarly, if you have provided your password for an online auction, secure payment or job site, change your password and contact the site for further advice. The scammers may be after your personal information for identity fraud.

- If your home computer is infected with a virus, you should use commercially available anti-virus software to quarantine and remove the virus. If the virus was sent to you via an infected email from someone you know, then you should advise them their computer is probably also infected.

- If you cannot solve the problem yourself, you may need to engage the services of your local computer shop or IT professional for assistance.

(For netters living in Western Australia)

- Spam, or electronic junk email, is a Federal offence. If you have been a target of spam please contact the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) at http://www.spam.acma.gov.au/  .

Forward suspicious scam emails to WA ScamNet ( wascamnet@commerce.wa.gov.au ).

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