E-mail Scam Targets Consumer Protection Chief

Anne Driscoll, Western Australian Commissioner for Consumer Protection, was recently targeted by an e-mail fraud, as reported by perth on April 2, 2009.

Commenting on the scam's details, Driscoll stated that the fake e-mail pretended to be a formal invitation reached her inbox. But it displayed all the indications of a fraud scheme. One typical indication was the urgency the message projected regarding the invitation.

Driscoll says that the message urged her to file an application in not more than five working days so that the publishing deadlines could be met.

Meanwhile, when Consumer Protection probed into the e-mail scam, it was discovered that there were other victims who faced a fee of up to $875.95 for allegedly enjoying 'free' listing.

Driscoll further adds that it is pretty clear that the senders of the fraudulent e-mail were attempting to exploit the reputation attached to the Princeton name. According to her, the act of defrauding her showed how scammers approach people.

According to what Driscoll perceived and based on other research outcomes that the Western Australian Commissioner for Consumer Protection Department gathered, it is now evident that the Australians lose nearly $1 Billion to online fraudulent schemes every year.

Confirming this assessment, Driscoll stated that scams were amongst their most important consumer complaints as they attacked everybody, and required people to be alert always, as reported by perth on April 2, 2009.

A particularly common e-mail fraud that has targeted Australians in the recent months is one that related to the economic meltdown.

Thus, security officials state that if anyone receives a suspicious e-mail, he should delete it instead of opening it. Opening spam mails or answering fraudulent e-mails simply tells the spammer that the user's address is valid.

Moreover, additional information regarding scams can be found on the website of Department of Commerce WA ScamNet i.e. www.commerce.wa.gov.au/wascamnet. Additionally, doubtful e-mails and correspondences could be forwarded to WA ScamNet so that further investigation is possible.

Meanwhile, security specialists including Driscoll say that public should keep themselves aware of the events in the country, society and surroundings as often the scams take advantage of them.

Related article: E-Crime Reporting Format To Be Launched in July

» SPAMfighter News - 4/11/2009